Network Monitoring and Packet Capture Techniques

Computer networking is the interconnection of some devices which can communicate and exchange data among themselves. The communication can be either wired or wireless. In this article we will discuss how we can monitor and packet packets.

Visualization of Computer Network

What is Network Monitoring and Packet Capture?

Network monitoring is the process of continuously monitoring a network for any reason like any system failure, slow traffic, some network-related problem, some data analytics etc. It is a very important process that helps to discover, map and monitor the network and the related devices and network components like switches, routers, servers, VMs (virtual machines) etc.

Packet Capturing:- Packet capture is the process of analyzing, intercepting, and recording data packets that are exchanged (transmitted or received) over a network. It is a important technique for analyzing performance issues, track packet loss, managing traffic etc. Packet capturing helps the admin department to detect vulnerabilities, intrusion detection attacks or attempts, undesirable network behaviors, network congestion etc.

Techniques for Network Monitoring

• NetFlow monitoring:- This technique traps the packet to examine the traffic that passes through a network. It captures the traffic data and then sends it to a monitoring tool for analysis. The analysis performed on these are examined as network traffic flow and volume to determine how data moves through the network. This flow-based processing system includes analyzing the communication or conversation between devices and ensuring that information and data is transmitted smoothly along the network path.
• Ping monitoring: This technique transmits or sends a packet to a device and waits for a response. If the device receives the response, then it is considered that the device is running or up and if there is no response, the monitoring tool sends multiple ping to get the device’s response and still there’s no response then the monitoring tool alter the user about the improper functioning of the device. This technique is considered as the oldest monitoring technique. Pings are a relatively simple monitoring technique, but it is still considered as the best way for industries to examine if the devices are currently running or not.
• SNMP monitoring:- Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a type of protocol that is used to monitor network devices. SNMP tool collects information from network devices and uses it to monitor network performances. It runs on a common language to communicate with each other. The system depends on the agents inside the device to provide the information to network monitoring tools. or network managers. An SNMP tool or manager send out polls to the device to inquire about their current status and the device can send the trap signal when any significant network events occur. NPMs that include the SNMP tool have a common framework to communicate with each other, centralizing and monitoring capabilities.
• SQL query Monitoring:- For monitoring the databases connected to the network, monitors can use SQL queries. The queries query the database to provide information on the number of requests, transmissions etc. Using the extracted information from the database is sending data across a network to accommodate for every request it receives or not. If it finds that the database is performing slowly the motoring tool can detect it and it will send an alert to admin department of network team.

Techniques for Packet Capturing

• Port mirroring (SPAN): This technique involves configuring a switch to copy network traffic from one or more ports to a monitoring port. The monitoring port is then connected to a packet capture device, such as a laptop or a dedicated server, to capture and analyze the copied traffic. Port mirroring is a common method for capturing traffic in enterprise networks and is relatively easy to set up.
• TAP (Test Access Point): A TAP is a hardware device that sits between network devices, allowing the monitoring tool to capture a copy of the traffic passing through the TAP. TAPs are often used in high-performance networks where packet loss is not acceptable, as they can provide lossless packet capture. However, TAPs can be expensive and may require additional configuration to set up.
• Packet capture on a router or switch: Some networking equipment, such as routers and switches, have built-in packet capture capabilities. This method allows you to capture packets directly on the device, eliminating the need for additional hardware or configuration. However, this method may not be suitable for capturing large amounts of traffic or for capturing traffic on specific ports.
• Packet capture on a laptop or desktop: This method involves running a packet capture tool, such as Wireshark or tcpdump, on a laptop or desktop computer connected to the network. The tool captures packets from the network interface of the computer, allowing you to analyze the captured traffic. This method is convenient for capturing traffic in small networks or for capturing traffic on specific devices.
• Mobile device packet capture: In some cases, it may be necessary to capture network traffic from a mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. There are packet capture tools available for mobile devices that allow you to capture and analyze network traffic on the go. This can be useful for troubleshooting network connectivity issues or analyzing mobile app traffic.

FAQs on Network Monitoring and Packet Capture Techniques

Q.1: What are some full packet-capturing vendors?

Answer:

1. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor
2. Capsa Free
3. Alluvio Packet Analyzer Plus:
4. Napatech Pandion
5. SentryWire

Q.2: What are the benefits of using packet-capturing techniques in network monitoring?

Answer :

Packet capturing techniques, such as port mirroring, network TAPs, and packet capture software, offer several benefits in network monitoring, including:

1. Detailed insights: Packet capturing provides a granular view of network traffic, allowing administrators to analyze individual packets and identify the root causes of network issues.
2. Troubleshooting capabilities: By capturing and analyzing packets, network administrators can quickly identify and resolve network performance problems, application errors, and security threats.
3. Security monitoring: Packet capturing helps detect and prevent security breaches by allowing administrators to inspect the contents of network packets for malicious activity, such as unauthorized access or data exfiltration.

Q.3: What are some common challenges in network monitoring and packet capturing?

Answer:

Network monitoring and packet capturing can present some challenges, including:

1. Data overload: Capturing and analyzing large amounts of network traffic can result in data overload, making it difficult to identify and prioritize issues. Implementing proper filtering and analysis techniques can help address this challenge.
2. Privacy and compliance: Capturing and analyzing network packets may involve handling sensitive data, raising privacy and compliance concerns. Network administrators should ensure they have the necessary permissions and safeguards in place to protect data privacy and comply with relevant regulations.
3. packet-capturingComplexity and cost: Implementing effective network monitoring and and  solutions can be complex and costly, especially for large or distributed networks. Organizations should carefully evaluate their needs and consider the available options to find the most suitable and cost-effective solutions.