looking for some advice to monitor network usage in office

[Rudi Ahlers]

Hi all,

I've been asked by a college to setup a monitor to monitor a Windows
network, but on internet usage. They want to have detailed usage, i.e.
on a per IP / PC basis, and if possible to get stats for every
protocol, and see over a period of time what goes on.

My first though wat ntop, which does all of this, but it doesn't save
the data in a DB, so if the server reboots the stats are reset to 0. I
also can't get Cacti to give me stats per IP & per protocol (unless
someone knows how todo this).

I don't yet know the full network layout, but I have a feeling they're
using ADSL, and have a Windows Small Business server with ISA, and
possible Exchange as well. So, I'm either going to put a Linux box
between the Windows box & ADSL router, or maybe even setup a Linux
Vmware Virtual PC, force all the network to route via the VPS.

Does anyone have some suggestions / experience in setting up something
like this?

P.S. Please don't look at the fact that there's Windows on the
network. I use Linux for business purposes, not as a hobby, and we
also use Mac & Windows where the situation calls for it.

-- 

Kind Regards
Rudi Ahlers