Network monitoring involves tracking and analyzing network traffic at OSI layers 2 to 4, providing insight into various communication activities across the network protocol stack.
Here are Linux-based network monitoring tools, categorized by the OSI layer they operate on 😎👆
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OSI Layer
Some Commands can work with many different layers of the OSI Model
- tcpdump/tshark: Capture Packets and analyze their Layer-2/3/4 header
- Wireshark: gui counterpart of tcpdump/tshark
- nmap: scan remote hosts and discover their Layer-2/3/4 services
- Zabbix: comprehensive monitor for network, servers and apps across layer-2/3/4
- EtherApe: gui-based network monitor featuring link, IP & TCP mode
- ntopng: web-based real-time traffic monitor
Layer-4 Transport Layer
- ss/netstat: tcp/udp connection stats
- iperf: measure bottleneck bandwidth
- netperf: measure Bandwidth/latency
- nc: read/write to/from network connection
- tcptrack: troubleshoot tcp-specific issues
- lsof: check process ownership of tcp/udp
- ngrep: analyze payloud with layer-4 filter
Layer-3 Network Layer
- traceroute: discover routing path to a host
- ping: test IP-level network connectivity
- mtr: combine traceroute and ping
- iftop: measure IP-level throughput
- ip addr: check layer-3 configuration
- ip -s route: check routing rules and stats
- nethog: monitor per-process bw usage
Layer-2 Data Link Layer
- ip -s link: show link status & rx/tx/err stats
- arp: check arp table and neighbor info
ethtool: link status, speed & nic settingsbrctl: show fdb/stp status of linux bridgeiwconfig: show wireless link status & stats- iwlist: display available wireless networks
Conclusion
The Linux commands Dan outlined can be utilized for monitoring network performance and troubleshooting issues on multiple layers of the OSI model.
Using these tools can help you gain deeper insights on your network’s behavior, detect bottlenecks, and resolve connectivity problems. You can even use these commands just to get a better understanding of how networking works! Try it out today!
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Credit for this post goes to Dan Nanni.
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