Network traffic monitoring is a crucial aspect of ensuring the security and performance of a network. In the Linux environment, there are several tools and techniques available to effectively monitor and analyze network traffic. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on network traffic monitoring in Linux, covering both command-line tools and graphical interfaces commonly used in this environment.

Examples:

1. Command-Line Tools:

   • tcpdump: This powerful command-line tool allows you to capture and analyze network packets in real-time. Use the following command to capture all traffic on a specific interface:

     sudo tcpdump -i eth0

   • tshark: Another command-line tool, tshark is part of the Wireshark package and provides similar functionality. To capture and save network traffic to a file, use the following command:

     sudo tshark -i eth0 -w capture.pcap

   • iftop: This command-line tool displays an interface-level view of network traffic in real-time. It provides information on the current bandwidth usage, hosts consuming the most bandwidth, and more. Run the following command to start monitoring network traffic:

     sudo iftop -i eth0

2. Graphical Interfaces:

   • Wireshark: A popular and powerful network protocol analyzer, Wireshark offers a graphical interface to capture and analyze network traffic. It provides detailed information about each packet, including its source and destination addresses, protocols used, and payload data. To start capturing traffic with Wireshark, run the following command:

     sudo wireshark

   • ntopng: This web-based network traffic monitoring tool provides real-time and historical insights into network traffic patterns. It offers a user-friendly interface with various visualizations and detailed reports. To install ntopng on your Linux system, use the following command:

     sudo apt-get install ntopng