Uncovering the Best IPtraf-ng Alternatives for Network Monitoring
IPTraf-ng is a powerful, console-based network monitoring utility, providing detailed insights into TCP connections, interface statistics, traffic breakdowns, and more. It's a go-to for many Linux users needing deep network visibility. However, depending on your specific needs, operating system, or desired feature set, you might be looking for an IPtraf-ng alternative that offers a different approach, a graphical interface, or broader platform support. This article explores some of the top contenders that can fill the gap left by or complement IPTraf-ng.
Top IPtraf-ng Alternatives
While IPTraf-ng excels at console-based network analysis, many other tools provide similar or enhanced capabilities, ranging from comprehensive system monitoring to specialized network traffic analysis. Let's dive into some of the best alternatives available.
glances
Glances is a versatile, free, and open-source monitoring tool developed in Python, available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD. It’s a CLI (curses-based) solution that uses the PsUtil library to gather system information, making it an excellent IPtraf-ng alternative for those who appreciate command-line interfaces but desire a broader range of monitoring capabilities, including network and hardware monitoring.
GNOME System Monitor
GNOME System Monitor is a free and open-source graphical tool specifically designed for Linux and BSD (with GNOME desktop environment). It's a great IPtraf-ng alternative if you prefer a visual interface for managing running processes and monitoring system resources, focusing on application monitoring and task management rather than raw network packet analysis.
iftop
iftop is a free and open-source tool for Linux that provides network usage monitoring similar to how 'top' monitors CPU usage. It listens to network traffic on a specified interface and displays current bandwidth usage, making it a direct and effective IPtraf-ng alternative for granular network activity and monitoring from the command line.
ntop
Ntop is a powerful, free, and open-source hybrid layer 2/layer 3 network monitor available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It provides comprehensive network statistics and monitoring, utilizing both MAC and IP addresses. Ntop is an excellent IPtraf-ng alternative for users needing detailed network and server monitoring with a broader scope than just traffic analysis.
nmon
nmon is a free and open-source system administrator, tuner, and benchmark tool for Linux. While it doesn't list specific features in the provided data, it's known for giving a vast amount of performance information at once, often making it a useful diagnostic tool alongside or as an IPtraf-ng alternative for broader system insights.
Atop
Atop is an advanced, free, and open-source interactive monitor for Linux systems, allowing users to view system-level and process-level load. It's a strong IPtraf-ng alternative for those who need in-depth hardware monitoring and a detailed understanding of system performance beyond just network traffic.
Kiwi application monitor
Kiwi application monitor is a freemium program for Windows that allows you to monitor applications, processes, Windows, and user activity. While not open-source, it serves as an IPtraf-ng alternative for Windows users looking for application monitoring capabilities within a desktop environment.
Choosing the best IPtraf-ng alternative depends heavily on your operating system, whether you prefer a command-line or graphical interface, and the specific monitoring features you prioritize. We encourage you to explore these options further to find the perfect fit for your network and system monitoring needs.