---
title: Sniffnet — network traffic monitor
date: 2026-10-19
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: A Rust cross-platform network traffic monitor that visualizes bandwidth and connection info.
tags: program, Modern CLI Tools, sniffnet
---

Cross-platform network traffic monitor built with Rust. Visualizes bandwidth and connection information via TUI.

## Basic Information

| Program Name | Sniffnet |
| --- | --- |
| One-line Description | Cross-platform network traffic monitor built with Rust. Visualizes bandwidth and connection information via TUI. |
| Development & Maintenance | GyulyVGC (Individual Developer, Open Source) |
| Official Homepage | https://sniffnet.app |
| Official Documentation | https://github.com/GyulyVGC/sniffnet/wiki |
| Official Download | https://sniffnet.app/#download |
| Supported Operating Systems | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| License | MIT / Apache-2.0 (Dual License) |
| Stable Version | 1.4.x — Verified 2026-10-18 |
| GitHub Repository | https://github.com/GyulyVGC/sniffnet |
| Category | Network Analysis & Diagnostics (Tags: Traffic Monitoring, Bandwidth, TUI, Rust, Real-time) |

## What is this program?

Sniffnet is an open-source tool for real-time monitoring of network traffic on servers and desktops. Written in Rust, it is stable and visually displays bandwidth usage, connected remote hosts, and protocol distribution using only a terminal TUI, without a GUI.

It integrates information from existing tools like iftop and nload into a more intuitive interface. You can filter by specific hosts, ports, or protocols to view detailed traffic, and set alert rules to receive warnings when thresholds are exceeded.

## What problem does it solve?

- Identifies the cause of sudden server bandwidth increases at the process or host level.
- Determines which remote IP exchanges the most data.
- Allows intuitive observation of abnormal traffic patterns (e.g., DDoS, scanning).
- Enables visual network monitoring even in server environments without a GUI.
## Key Features

### Real-time Bandwidth Graph

Displays upload and download speeds as real-time graphs.

- **Use Case**: Visually tracking traffic surge periods.
- **Result**: View bandwidth usage over time via graphs.
- **Limitation**: Historical data is not stored long-term (real-time only).
### Connection & Host Filtering

Filter by specific IP, port, or protocol to view only relevant traffic.

- **Use Case**: Focused analysis of communications with suspicious remote hosts.
- **Result**: Irrelevant traffic is removed, leaving only key information.
- **Limitation**: Filter syntax may not be intuitive.
### Alert Rule Configuration

Displays alerts when bandwidth or connection count exceeds thresholds.

- **Use Case**: Immediately detecting abnormal traffic during continuous monitoring.
- **Result**: Identify anomalies without manual checks.
- **Limitation**: Alerts are displayed only within the TUI; email/webhook notifications are not supported.
### Security-Focused Design

Open-source with security-audited code; does not transmit user data externally.

- **Use Case**: Monitoring locally without connecting to external services.
- **Result**: Can be used without privacy concerns.
- **Limitation**: Requires traffic capture privileges (root or cap_net_raw).
## Installation and Execution

### Ubuntu / Debian (Binary)

Download and install the binary from the official release.

```
# Download Linux binary from GitHub releases
# https://github.com/GyulyVGC/sniffnet/releases
chmod +x sniffnet
sudo mv sniffnet /usr/local/bin/

# Run (requires traffic capture privileges)
sudo sniffnet
```

### cargo (Build from Source)

Build in a Rust environment.

```
cargo install sniffnet
sudo sniffnet
```

### macOS / Homebrew

Install from the Homebrew tap.

```
brew install sniffnet
```

## Practical Usage Examples

### Basic Execution and Bandwidth Check

Monitor traffic on all interfaces in real-time.

```
# Run with root privileges
sudo sniffnet

# After launching, select an interface (e.g., eth0)
# Displays real-time upload/download graphs
```

### Check Traffic with a Specific Host

Analyze connections with a suspicious remote IP.

```
# After launching Sniffnet, set filters in the TUI
# 1. Select Interface (e.g., eth0)
# 2. In the Hosts tab, check top communicating hosts
# 3. Click the relevant IP → view detailed traffic graph
```

### Isolate Traffic by Port

Monitor traffic only on a specific service port.

```
# Apply port filter in Sniffnet TUI
# Example: Display only HTTP (port 80) traffic
# Network → Filters → Port: 80
# View real-time connections, speed, and packet count for that port
```

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/modern/sniffnet.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.