bandwhich is a command-line utility that displays the current network utilization, providing information about network usage by process, connection, or remote IP/hostname. It helps users monitor and analyze network traffic in real-time, providing insights into which processes or connections are consuming network resources.
The primary purpose of bandwhich is to give users a clear visualization of network utilization and identify the processes or connections that are generating significant network traffic. By providing a breakdown of network usage, it enables users to understand the data flow and identify potential bottlenecks or bandwidth-intensive activities.
bandwhich offers different modes of operation to display network utilization information. In process mode, it shows the network usage by individual processes, allowing users to identify which processes are consuming the most network resources. This can be helpful in troubleshooting network-related issues or identifying processes that may be causing excessive network activity.
In connection mode, bandwhich presents a view of network usage grouped by connections, providing insights into the specific connections that are generating network traffic. This can be useful for understanding the data flow between different hosts or endpoints and pinpointing connections that may be responsible for high network utilization.
Additionally, bandwhich allows users to view network utilization based on remote IP addresses or hostnames. This mode can help identify network traffic patterns related to specific remote entities, allowing users to track communication with specific servers or services.
The information displayed by bandwhich includes the amount of data sent and received, the current throughput, and the percentage of network utilization for each process, connection, or remote entity. The data is presented in an interactive and visually appealing manner, making it easy to interpret and analyze the network utilization information.
bandwhich is a versatile tool that can be used for various purposes, such as network troubleshooting, performance optimization, and monitoring network-intensive processes or connections. It provides real-time insights into network utilization, allowing users to make informed decisions about resource allocation, network configuration, and application optimization.
bandwhich Command Examples
1. Show the remote addresses table only:
# bandwhich --addresses
2. Show DNS queries:
# bandwhich --show-dns
3. Show total (cumulative) usage:
# bandwhich --total-utilization
4. Show the network utilization for a specific network interface:
# bandwhich --interface eth0
5. Show DNS queries with a given DNS server:
# bandwhich --show-dns --dns-server dns_server_ip
Summary
In summary, bandwhich is a command-line utility that displays current network utilization information. It helps users visualize network usage by process, connection, or remote IP/hostname, enabling them to identify network-intensive activities, troubleshoot network issues, and optimize resource allocation. By providing real-time insights into network traffic, bandwhich facilitates effective network monitoring and analysis.