rTables for Linux -- FAQ

1. When will rTables be released "stable"?
2. How do I go about configuring the "per host" monitoring?
3. How can I monitor how much bandwidth is being used by one of my services (ie: Apache)?
4. Why should I use rTables/iptables to monitor bandwidth instead of just using a managed hub/switch?
5. What is this MRTG thing?

1. When will rTables be released "stable"?

   Hmm, possibly never. I've been thinging about totally rewriting rTables from the ground up.

2. How do I go about configuring the "per host" monitoring?

   This is actually quite simple. Look for docs on this in upcoming (Stable) versions of rTables (or whatever project replaces it).

3. How can I monitor how much bandwidth is being used by one of my services (ie: Apache)?

   Do this in the same way as you do "per host" monitoring except check your web server tables instead of the host tables.

4. Why should I use rTables/iptables to monitor bandwidth instead of just using a managed hub/switch?

   There are actually several reasons to use rTables/iptables rather than using a managed hub/switch.

   1. Money... Managed equipment costs quite a bit a money (especially for the home user), rTables/iptables/Linux is free. :-)
   2. A managed hub/switch will gather statistics on all traffic going through a port, including LAN traffic. Personally all I care about is internet traffic. rTables will only report how much data goes through the firewall.
   3. Money (again)... I can't afford managed equipment (unless somebody wants to send me some for free)...

5. What is this MRTG thing?

   See http://oss.oetiker.ch/mrtg/doc/mrtg.en.html