aaren-george / http-network-monitor

A Node.js powered HTTP network monitor

HTTP Network Monitor

A Node.js powered HTTP network monitor

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HTTP Network Monitor runs on Node.js. Make sure you have both Node.js and NPM installed.

• The developers of this project use a Raspberry Pi as the network monitor. Here are Pi-specific instructions on installing Node.js and NPM.

Setup

1. Install libraries:
   1. Update package lists: sudo apt-get update
   2. Install libpcap: sudo apt-get install libpcap-dev
   3. Install g++: sudo apt-get install g++
2. Clone repository: git clone https://github.com/gregnr/http-network-monitor.git
3. Navigate into directory: cd http-network-monitor
4. Initialize node-http-parser submodule: git submodule update --init
5. Install dependencies from package.json file: npm install
6. The dashboard website uses Bower for dependencies
   • Install bower globally: sudo npm install -g bower
   • Navigate to website directory: cd static
   • Install dependencies from bower.json file: bower install

PostgreSQL: Initial setup

1. Install postgres: sudo apt-get install postgresql postgresql-contrib
2. Login as root user for postgres: sudo -i -u postgres
3. Create the "monitor" postgres user: createuser -P -s -e monitor, you will be prompted for a password
4. Create a new postgres db: createdb monitor
5. Open postgres: psql
6. Create a password for the postgres user: \password postgres (Allows for local connections to psql)
7. Quit postgres: \q
8. Return to regular user: exit
9. Allow local connections by editing the config file: sudo vim /etc/postgresql/9.3/main/pg_hba.conf
10. Change line local all postgres peer to local all postgres md5
11. Save and exit vim
12. Restart postgres: sudo service postgresql restart
13. Add the MessageExchange table and grant permissions to "monitor" user (using the SQL schema file): psql -d monitor -U postgres -W -a -f database_schema.sql

Running program

Since we will be reading network packets from the kernel, you need root access to run the monitor.

1. Run the monitor: sudo node monitor.js (captures packets)
2. Run the web server: sudo node server.js (serves admin dashboard)
3. Go to http://localhost/ in your browser to visit the admin dashboard

Pulling new changes

1. Pull new changes: git pull
2. Update node-http-parser submodule to correct commit: git submodule update
3. Install any new dependencies from package.json file: npm install

Virtualbox

Some people may want to test this app on a virtual machine. Use these instructions to set up an Ubuntu image on Virtualbox.

1. Download Virtualbox
2. Download an Ubuntu ISO
3. To use in 64-bit, you may need to enable Intel Virtualization and Intel VT-d in your BIOS
4. Create a new VM in Virtualbox (~2GB memory, ~8GB dynamically allocated storage)
5. Window resize and copy-paste functionality requires requires the guest additions. Go to "Devices > Insert guest additions CD image" in the virtualbox window to install this package. Then restart the VM.