Install IPTraf on a Centos / RHEL / Fedora Linux To Get Network Statistics

How can I install IPTraf utility on a CentOS, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or Fedora Linux to get a variety information on my network?

IPTraf is a console-based network monitoring utility. IPTraf gathers data like TCP connection packet and byte counts, interface statistics and activity indicators, TCP/UDP traffic breakdowns, and LAN station packet and byte counts. IPTraf features include:

An IP traffic monitor that shows information on the IP traffic passing over your network. Includes TCP flag information, packet and byte counts, ICMP details, OSPF packet types.
General and detailed interface statistics showing IP, TCP, UDP, ICMP, non-IP and other IP packet counts, IP checksum errors, interface activity, packet size counts.
A TCP and UDP service monitor showing counts of incoming and outgoing packets for common TCP and UDP application ports
A LAN statistics module that discovers active hosts and shows statistics showing the data activity on them
TCP, UDP, and other protocol display filters, allowing you to view only traffic you’re interested in.
Logging
Supports Ethernet, FDDI, ISDN, SLIP, PPP, and loopback interface types.
Utilizes the built-in raw socket interface of the Linux kernel, allowing it to be used over a wide range of supported network cards.
Full-screen, menu-driven operation.

CentOS / RHEL / Fedora Linux install IPTraf

Type the following yum command to install IPTraf:
# yum install iptraf
Sample outputs:

Loaded plugins: auto-update-debuginfo, protectbase, rhnplugin, security
This system is receiving updates from RHN Classic or RHN Satellite.
0 packages excluded due to repository protections
Setting up Install Process
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package iptraf.x86_64 0:3.0.1-14.el6 will be installed
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
 
Dependencies Resolved
 
================================================================================
 Package      Arch         Version             Repository                  Size
================================================================================
Installing:
 iptraf       x86_64       3.0.1-14.el6        rhel-x86_64-server-6       316 k
 
Transaction Summary
================================================================================
Install       1 Package(s)
 
Total download size: 316 k
Installed size: 0  
Is this ok [y/N]: y
Downloading Packages:
iptraf-3.0.1-14.el6.x86_64.rpm                           | 316 kB     00:00     
Running rpm_check_debug
Running Transaction Test
Transaction Test Succeeded
Running Transaction
  Installing : iptraf-3.0.1-14.el6.x86_64                                   1/1 
  Verifying  : iptraf-3.0.1-14.el6.x86_64                                   1/1 
 
Installed:
  iptraf.x86_64 0:3.0.1-14.el6                                                  
 
Complete!

How do I use iptraf command?

The syntax is:

iptraf 
iptraf [options]
iptraf -i interface_name_here

To start the IP traffic monitor for eth0 interface type the following command. Pass the -i all option for all interfaces:
# iptraf -i eth0 # iptraf -i all
Sample outputs:

Access all main menus

If the iptraf is started without any command-line options, the program comes up in interactive mode, with the various facilities accessed through the main menu as follows:
# iptraf
Sample outputs:

To start the general interface statistics, enter:

# iptraf -g

To see the detailed statistics facility on an interface called eth0

# iptraf -d interface_name_here # iptraf -d eth0

To see the TCP and UDP monitor on an interface called eth0

# iptraf -z interface_name_here # iptraf -z eth0

To displays the packet size counts on an interface called eth0

# iptraf -z interface_name_here # iptraf -z eth0

Other options

Here are other options for the program:

-l iface    - start the LAN station monitor ("-l all" for all LAN interfaces)
-B          - run in background (use only with one of the above parameters)
-t timeout  - when used with one of the above parameters, tells
              the facility to run only for the specified number of
              minutes (timeout)
-L logfile  - specifies an alternate log file for any direct invocation
              of a facility from the command line.  The log is placed in
              /var/log/iptraf if path is not specified.
-I interval - specifies the log interval for all facilities except the IP
              traffic monitor.  Value is in minutes.
-f          - clear all locks and counters.  Use with great caution.
              Normally used to recover from an abnormal termination.

Related media

This tutorial is also available in a quick video format:

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. He has worked with global clients and in various industries, including IT, education, defense and space research, and the nonprofit sector. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.

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