log for TCP/IP (TCP) connection?

fireball003 · 12-04-2008, 11:54 AM

Hi,
In my server clients connect using TCP and send data. I need to check some activity of past few weeks.

Now is there any log for TCP/IP connection or IP based activity? How to konw who were connected to my server IP and port in last few weeks? Also how can I know what data was sent?

FYI these connections are not logged in apache log as this is directly TCP connection and apache (or port 80) is never touched.

Please suggest me.

Thanks in advance.

sparc86 · 12-04-2008, 12:48 PM

It seems like you want to use a sniffer. There are a lot of tools like that on the web, I think you should try as many as possible and then select the one which suits better to your needs.

Maybe you could try tcpflow at first.

fireball003 · 12-04-2008, 01:00 PM

Thanks for your response.
No, rather I need existing log for IP and port based connections. Isn't there any default log for IP and port based connections made? Or can't I see it without using sniffer?

TB0ne · 12-04-2008, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireball003

Thanks for your response.
No, rather I need existing log for IP and port based connections. Isn't there any default log for IP and port based connections made? Or can't I see it without using sniffer?

Well, IP and port based connections is kind of vague. SSH/telnet access is usually kept track of in your syslog...ftp may (or may not), be in there too, or may have its own log file. Web access is in apache logs, and if you're using a 'listener' type system (MySQL, Oracle, etc.), those connections are in another file.

All of these will depend on the level of logging you've enabled in each of the apps, as to where and if you get anything. If you want to see EVERYTHING, you're going to have to use a sniffer

anomie · 12-04-2008, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireball003

Now is there any log for TCP/IP connection or IP based activity? How to konw who were connected to my server IP and port in last few weeks? Also how can I know what data was sent?

This is generally something you need to think about in advance.

Two possibilities are:

Application-level tcp/ip logging. (Did you set that up? If so, check there.)
Host firewall-level tcp/ip logging. (This requires specifically setting the LOG target via iptables.)

Layer 7 logging is a whole other animal, and would best be handled (again) at the application level.