  Using new Chandra X-ray observations and existing XMM-Newton X-ray and Hubble
far ultraviolet observations, we aim to detect and identify the faint X-ray
sources belonging to the Galactic globular cluster NGC 2808 in order to
understand their role in the evolution of globular clusters. We present a
Chandra X-ray observation of the Galactic globular cluster NGC 2808. We
classify the X-ray sources associated with the cluster by analysing their
colours and variability. Previous observations with XMM-Newton and far
ultraviolet observations with the Hubble Space Telescope are re-investigated to
help identify the Chandra sources associated with the cluster. We compare our
results to population synthesis models and observations of other Galactic
globular clusters. We detect 113 sources, of which 16 fall inside the half-mass
radius of NGC 2808 and are concentrated towards the cluster core. From
statistical analysis, these 16 sources are very likely to be linked to the
cluster. We detect short-term (1 day) variability in X-rays for 7 sources, of
which 2 fall inside the half-mass radius, and long-term (28 months) variability
for 10 further sources, of which 2 fall inside the half-mass radius.
Ultraviolet counterparts are found for 8 Chandra sources in the core, of which
2 have good matching probabilities and have ultraviolet properties expected for
cataclysmic variables. We find one likely neutron star-quiescent low-mass X-ray
binary and 7 cataclysmic variable candidates in the core of NGC 2808. The other
8 sources are cataclysmic variable candidates, but some could possibly be
active binaries or millisecond pulsars. We find a possible deficit of X-ray
sources compared to 47 Tuc which could be related to the metallicity content
and the complexity of the evolution of NGC 2808.
