Network and DNSNetwork VisibilityIntermediate2-3 hoursLab build

Build a Home Network Visibility Dashboard with ntopng, Syslog, and VLAN Traffic Summaries

Build a home network visibility dashboard with ntopng, syslog, and VLAN summaries for quick traffic checks.

Last reviewed4/30/2026

VLAN-aware monitoringsmall office network dashboards

Linux (Ubuntu)ntopngSyslogRouter with VLAN support

Expected Outcome

A functional home network visibility dashboard that provides insights into network traffic, logs network events, and summarizes VLAN traffic.

Assumptions

Basic knowledge of networking concepts
A computer or server running Linux (Ubuntu preferred)
Access to your home router with VLAN configuration capabilities
Basic familiarity with command-line interface

Bill of Materials

Computer or server for hosting ntopng
Router with VLAN support
Network cables
Monitor for dashboard display

Build Steps

Install ntopng
Install ntopng on your Linux server to start monitoring network traffic.
Changes system state: review before running
```
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ntopng
sudo systemctl enable ntopng
sudo systemctl start ntopng
```
Configure ntopng
Edit the ntopng configuration file to set up your network interfaces and enable VLAN monitoring.
Changes system state: review before running
```
sudo nano /etc/ntopng/ntopng.conf
--set-http-port=3000
--interface=eth0
--vlan=enabled
--data-dir=/var/lib/ntopng
--local-networks=192.168.1.0/24
```
Set Up Syslog
Install and configure a syslog server to collect logs from your network devices.
Changes system state: review before running
```
sudo apt install rsyslog
sudo nano /etc/rsyslog.conf
*.* @localhost:514
sudo systemctl restart rsyslog
```
Configure Router for VLANs
Access your router's settings to configure VLANs and ensure they are sending traffic to ntopng. Manual action: Navigate to VLAN settings.
Example pattern only. Adjust for your environment before running.
```
Log in to your router's admin interface
Create VLANs as needed (e.g., VLAN 10 for guests, VLAN 20 for IoT devices)
Set the router to send syslog messages to your Linux server's IP address
```
Access the ntopng Dashboard
Open a web browser and navigate to the ntopng dashboard to view network traffic and VLAN summaries. Manual action: Navigate to http://<your_server_ip>:3000.
Example pattern only. Adjust for your environment before running.
```
Open a web browser
```

Validation

Verify that ntopng is running by checking the service status: sudo systemctl status ntopng
Check the ntopng dashboard for real-time traffic data and VLAN summaries.
Ensure that syslog is receiving logs by checking the log file: cat /var/log/syslog

Troubleshooting

Check service logs before changing the design.
Confirm ports, paths, credentials, DNS names, and container names match the guide assumptions.

Cleanup or Rollback

Stop test services you no longer need and keep a copy of working configuration before deleting volumes or data directories.

Next Improvements

Explore ntopng's advanced features such as alerts and reporting.
Integrate additional monitoring tools like Grafana for enhanced visualization.
Consider setting up alerts for unusual traffic patterns.