Today I tried to compile & install excellent libpcap python extension "pcapy" on my Windows XP note pc.

- Pcapy .:: CORE SECURITY TECHNOLOGIES ::.
-- http://oss.coresecurity.com/projects/pcapy.html

Pcapy official page serves exe installer for Python 2.5, WinPcap 4.0.x.
I'm using Python 2.5, but unfortunately, WinPcap-4.1.2 was installed on my note pc.

Hmm... it's time to download pcapy source code, compile, build, and install it.

My NotePC Environments:
 OS : Windows XP SP3 Japanese
 CPU : Intel PentiumM (Centrino) 1.2GHz
 RAM : 1GB
 Python : Python 2.5 (installed from MSI installer)
     Install Directory : C:\Python25

Requirements for this article, compiling pcapy:
 Microsoft Visual Studio, C++
 MyVersion : Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition SP1
#more||
----
* obtaining WinPcap headers and libraries

1st, you must download WinPcap runtime installer, and install it.
- WinPcap runtime installer for Windows:
-- http://www.winpcap.org/install/default.htm

2nd, downlaod WinPcap Developer Resources (.zip archive), and extract it to your favorite directory.
- WinPcap Developer Resources
-- http://www.winpcap.org/devel.htm

(these url links are valid at 2010-11-2, and may be changed at future)

I expaneded it to "C:\work\misc\WpdPack_4_1_2".
 C:\work\WpdPack_4_1_2\
                       Include\
                       Lib\
                       ...

* get pcapy source code, and build it !!

Download pcapy-0.10.5 source code from pcapy homepage, and expand it.
I expanded it to "C:\work\misc\pcapy-0.10.5".
 C:\work\misc\pcapy-0.10.5\
                           setup.py
                           README
                           ...

Open command prompt, setup Visual C++ Envorinment (ex: vcvars32.bat), and add following environments.
 set DISTUTILS_USE_SDK=1
 set MSSdk=1

If you've not read [[13]] , read it and modify "distutils\msvccompiler.py" in your Python Library tree.

Let's setup.py, with "--include-dir" and "--library-dirs" options:
 > cd C:\work\misc\pcapy-0.10.5
 > setup.py build_ext \
    --include-dirs C:\work\misc\WpdPack_4_1_2\Include \
    --library-dirs C:\work\misc\WpdPack_4_1_2\Lib
 (compiling...)

If compile success, "build\lib.win32-2.5\pcapy.pyd" should be created. Check dependents:
 > dumpbin /dependents C:\work\misc\pcapy-0.10.5\build\lib.win32-2.5\pcapy.pyd
 ...
 File Type: DLL
 
   Image has the following dependencies:
 
    wpcap.dll
    WS2_32.dll
    python25.dll
    KERNEL32.dll
Dependency seems good. Then, try to install:
#pre||>
> setup.py install
running install
running build
running build_ext
running install_lib
copying build\lib.win32-2.5\pcapy.pyd -> C:\Python25\Lib\site-packages
running install_data
creating C:\Python25\share
creating C:\Python25\share\doc
creating C:\Python25\share\doc\pcapy
copying README -> C:\Python25\share\doc\pcapy
copying LICENSE -> C:\Python25\share\doc\pcapy
copying pcapy.html -> C:\Python25\share\doc\pcapy
running install_egg_info
Writing C:\Python25\Lib\site-packages\pcapy-0.10.5-py2.5.egg-info
||<

import checks:
#pre||>
> C:\Python25\python.exe
Python 2.5.2 (r252:60911, Feb 21 2008, 13:11:45) [MSC v.1310 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import pcapy
>>> help(pcapy)
Help on module pcapy:

NAME
    pcapy - A wrapper for the Packet Capture (PCAP) library

FILE
    c:\python25\lib\site-packages\pcapy.pyd

CLASSES
    exceptions.Exception(exceptions.BaseException)
        PcapError

    class PcapError(exceptions.Exception)
     |  Method resolution order:
...
||<

All-Right!!
Now we can use WinPcap through Python. Enjoy!!