I'm creating a php script that will run via crontab on 70+ machines. This script will collect all information about the machine and post to a database. My question is what is the most accurate and efficent way to collect traffic usage information.

I'm looking to get RX & TX in a single format (bytes, mbits, etc) (Must be live information, or an average over 10 minutes (just like 'sar' or sysstat, whatever you want to call it).

Any help on this would be great. I'm not really looking for a script, just a program or the command that has simple outputs.

Thanks.

Does tcpdump work for you.

Yes tcp dump does work but this doesnt give me much information except for packet information. I need actual usages posted, not packets.

Ideal output would be like sar (sysstat)

Time Inbound Outbound Total
8:30:01 120 873 993


something like that would be great