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Network monitoring and surveillance involve continuously observing the health, performance, and security of network infrastructure to ensure smooth and secure operations. It enables proactive detection of issues like latency, outages, intrusions, and traffic anomalies.
Key Objectives:
1. Performance Monitoring
- Measure bandwidth usage, CPU/memory utilization, and network throughput.
- Monitor critical devices like routers, switches, servers, and firewalls.
- Track service availability (HTTP, DNS, FTP, etc.).
2. Fault Detection & Alerts
- Detect issues such as link failures, device downtime, or hardware degradation.
- Receive alerts via email, SMS, or dashboards.
- Set thresholds for warning and critical status.
3. Security Surveillance
- Monitor for unauthorized access, anomalous traffic, or DDoS attacks.
- Integrate with IDS/IPS and SIEM systems for deep visibility.
- Use NetFlow or packet capture tools to analyze network behavior.
4. Log Management & Analysis
- Collect and analyze logs from devices using Syslog and SNMP traps.
- Use logs for compliance, troubleshooting, and forensic analysis.
5. Historical Data & Reporting
- Store performance and usage data for trend analysis.
- Generate automated reports for SLA management and audits.
Common Tools for Network Monitoring:
- PRTG Network Monitor – All-in-one monitoring (SNMP, NetFlow, WMI).
2. SolarWinds NPM – Enterprise-grade monitoring and alerting.
3. Nagios – Open-source infrastructure monitoring.
4. Zabbix – Network and application monitoring.
- Wireshark – Deep packet inspection and traffic analysis.
- Splunk / ELK Stack – Log management and real-time analytics.
- Cisco Prime Infrastructure – Cisco device monitoring and configuration.
Security Features in Surveillance:
- Access control to monitoring tools.
- Encrypted communications between agents and servers.
- Role-based dashboards and audit logging.
You Should Know:
Essential Commands & Tools for Network Monitoring
Linux Commands:
– `ping` – Check host reachability:
ping example.com
– `traceroute` – Trace network path:
traceroute google.com
– `netstat` – Display network connections:
netstat -tuln
– `ss` – Socket statistics (modern netstat):
ss -tuln
– `iftop` – Real-time bandwidth monitoring:
sudo iftop -i eth0
– `nmap` – Network scanning:
nmap -sV 192.168.1.1
– `tcpdump` – Packet capture:
sudo tcpdump -i eth0 port 80
Windows Commands:
– `ping` – Test connectivity:
ping 8.8.8.8
– `tracert` – Trace route:
tracert google.com
– `netstat` – Active connections:
netstat -ano
– `pathping` – Advanced traceroute with latency stats:
pathping example.com
– `Performance Monitor (perfmon)` – GUI-based monitoring:
perfmon
Automated Monitoring with Cron (Linux):
- Schedule a script to log network stats:
/5 /usr/bin/netstat -tuln >> /var/log/network_monitor.log
Wireshark Filters for Security Analysis:
- Filter HTTP traffic:
http
- Detect suspicious DNS queries:
dns.flags.response == 0
- Capture only SYN scans (potential port scan):
tcp.flags.syn==1 and tcp.flags.ack==0
What Undercode Say:
Network monitoring is crucial for maintaining security and performance. Implementing automated checks, log analysis, and real-time surveillance helps prevent breaches and downtime. Tools like Wireshark, Nagios, and Splunk enhance visibility, while Linux/Windows commands provide quick diagnostics. Always encrypt monitoring data and restrict access to prevent tampering.
Expected Output:
A well-monitored network ensures uptime, security, and compliance. Use the commands and tools above to maintain a robust infrastructure.
Relevant URLs:
References:
Reported By: Ahmed Bawkar – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
