How to install ntop?

ntop (now called ntopng) is a network traffic probe that provides insights into network usage and statistics in real-time. It helps administrators monitor network traffic, detect anomalies, and perform network diagnostics. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install ntopng on a Linux server.

Step 1: Update Your Server Packages

1. Open Terminal or Connect via SSH:

- Use SSH to connect to your Linux server or open the terminal directly on your server.

2. Update the Package List:

- Run the following command to ensure all your server packages are up to date:

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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

3. For Red Hat-based distributions like CentOS or Fedora, use:

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sudo yum update -y

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

1. Install Common Dependencies:

- Install required dependencies that ntopng needs:

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sudo apt install wget gnupg software-properties-common -y

2. For CentOS, use:

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sudo yum install epel-release wget -y

Step 3: Add the ntopng Repository

1. Import the GPG Key:

- For Debian-based systems, import the ntopng repository key:

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wget https://packages.ntop.org/apt/ntop.key

sudo apt-key add ntop.key

2. Add the ntopng Repository:

- Add the repository to your system sources:

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echo "deb https://packages.ntop.org/apt/$(lsb_release -s -c)/ $(lsb_release -s -c) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ntop.list

echo "deb https://packages.ntop.org/apt/$(lsb_release -s -c)/ $(lsb_release -s -c) contrib" | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ntop.list

3. For Red Hat-based Systems:

Add the ntopng repository for CentOS:

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wget https://packages.ntop.org/centos/ntop.repo -O /etc/yum.repos.d/ntop.repo

Step 4: Install ntopng

1. Update the Package List Again:

- For Debian-based systems, update the package list after adding the repository:

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sudo apt update

2. Install ntopng:

- Install ntopng using the package manager:

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sudo apt install ntopng -y

For CentOS/RHEL, use:

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sudo yum install pfring-dkms n2n ntopng ntopng-data nprobe ntopng-redhat-config -y

Step 5: Configure ntopng

1. Edit the ntopng Configuration File:

- The configuration file for ntopng is located at /etc/ntopng/ntopng.conf. Edit this file to configure ntopng according to your requirements:

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sudo nano /etc/ntopng/ntopng.conf

Here you can set parameters like the network interface to monitor (-i), HTTP port (-w), and other options.

2. Common Configuration Options:

Interface: Define which network interface to monitor (e.g., eth0, wlan0).
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-i=eth0

HTTP Port: Set the port ntopng will use for its web interface (default is 3000).
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-w=3000

Local Networks: Specify local networks to ensure correct traffic categorization.
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-m=192.168.0.0/24

3. Save and Exit:

- Save your changes by pressing Ctrl + O, and then press Enter.

- Exit the editor by pressing Ctrl + X.

Step 6: Start and Enable ntopng Service

1. Start the ntopng Service:

- To start ntopng, run:

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sudo systemctl start ntopng

2.Enable ntopng to Start on Boot:

- Enable the ntopng service to start automatically upon system boot:

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sudo systemctl enable ntopng

3. Check ntopng Status:

- To ensure ntopng is running correctly, check the status with:

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sudo systemctl status ntopng

Step 7: Access the ntopng Web Interface

1. Open Web Browser:

- Open a web browser on your local machine.

2. Navigate to the ntopng Dashboard:

- Visit the ntopng web interface using your server’s IP address and the port you configured (default is 3000):

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http://:3000

- Replace with your server’s actual IP address.

2. Log In to ntopng:

- The default username and password are both admin.

- For security reasons, it’s recommended to change the default password immediately after the first login.

Step 8: Configure ntopng for Production Use

1. Change the Default Password:

- After logging in, navigate to the settings menu to change the default password.

2. Set Up SSL/TLS (Optional but Recommended):

- To secure your ntopng web interface, consider setting up SSL/TLS. This can be done by installing and configuring a reverse proxy like Nginx or Apache with SSL certificates.

3. Monitor and Tune Performance:

- Regularly monitor ntopng performance and adjust settings as needed for optimal operation based on your network size and usage.

Step 9: Update ntopng and Keep it Secure

1. Regularly Check for Updates:

- Make sure ntopng is always up to date to ensure you have the latest features and security patches:

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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

- For CentOS:

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sudo yum update -y

2. Review Logs and Monitor Network Traffic:

- Regularly review ntopng logs and monitor network traffic for any unusual activity or potential security threats.

Step 10: Log Out or Close Terminal

1. Secure Your Session:

- After installation and configuration are complete, log out of your SSH session or close the terminal.