vnStat

If you're looking for a console-based network traffic monitor, vnStat is definitely worth checking out. This software keeps a log of daily and monthly network traffic for the selected interface, but it's important to note that it isn't a packet sniffer. What sets vnStat apart from other network monitoring tools is that it analyzes traffic information from the /proc filesystem, which means that it can be used without root permissions. However, it's worth keeping in mind that at least a 2.2.x kernel is required to run this program.

One of the best things about vnStat is that it's open-source/GPL'ed, and it can be installed in "single" and "root" mode. The README contains detailed installation instructions, so you shouldn't encounter any issues during the setup process. If you have any feedback for the developer, you can send comments via email (make sure to remove the spam filter) or try contacting them on IRC (Vergo @ IRCNet). To stay updated about new versions of vnStat, subscribe to the vnStat list at freshmeat.net. There's also a discussion forum available for comments, suggestions, or support.

As a software developer, I found that vnStat is an ideal choice for network traffic monitoring. Before discovering vnStat, I had used mrtg for a while, but it didn't provide exact figures for daily traffic. I then tested ntop, but its range of features was too extensive for my requirements. I later came across darkstat, which was a stable and compact packet sniffer. However, I noticed that it wasn't suitable for my needs, especially when the network traffic exceeded 10MB/s. Since I was looking for a simple, lightweight tool that could handle high traffic levels and didn't require root permissions, I decided to develop vnStat myself. Overall, it's a great choice for anyone who needs a reliable network traffic monitor.