IPTraf-ng User's Manual
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# Appendix A. Messages

IPTraf-ng's messages are presented in two ways. In interactive mode, messages are displayed in a distictive message box. In daemon (background) mode, appropriate messages are written to the `iptraf-ng.log` file in the IPTraf-ng log directory (normally `/var/log/iptraf-ng`.

# A.1. IPTraf-ng Messages

`Unable to create config file`

> IPTraf-ng cannot create the configuration file. The most likely cause of this is that you didn't properly install the program, and the necessary directory `/var/local/iptraf-ng` does not exist. Can also be generated if you have a disk problem or if you have too many files open.

`Unable to read config file`

> The configuration record cannot be read. You most likely have a disk problem.

`Unable to write config file`

> The configuration file cannot be written. You either have a disk problem, or (more likely), your disk is full.

`Enter an appropriate description for this filter`

> Enter something to clearly describe the filter you are defining.

`Error loading filter list file`

> IPTraf-ng cannot access the list of defined TCP or UDP filters. Can also be an indicator of a bad disk.

`Error writing filter list file`

> The filter list file cannot be written to. You may have trouble accessing your filters.

`Unable to read TCP/UDP/misc IP filter file`

> IPTraf-ng cannot read the filter data off the file. Could be caused by a bad disk.

`Error opening filter data file`

> IPTraf-ng cannot open the filter file. Could be caused by a shortage of file descriptors or a bad disk.

`Unable to write filter data`

> IPTraf-ng cannot add the newly defined filter to the filter list. This may be due to a bad disk.

`Cannot create filter data file`

> IPTraf-ng cannot create the filter record file. The defined filter is lost.

`Unable to save filter changes`

> IPTraf-ng cannot save the changes you made to the filter. You probably have a disk error.

`Unable to write filter state information`

> The current state of the filters cannot be saved. IPTraf-ng will be unable to correctly reload the filters the next time it's started. This can be caused by a bad disk or improper installation.

`Unable to save interface flags`

> IPTraf-ng was unable to save the flags of the network interfaces. This is probably due to a bad installation or full filesystem.

`Unable to retrieve saved interface flags`

> IPTraf-ng was unable to retrieve the save interface flags. Probably again due to a bad installation or full filesystem.

``protocol` filter data file in use; try again later`

`Filter state file in use; try again later`

> Another IPTraf-ng process is modifying the TCP, UDP or miscellaneous IP filter data or the filter state file and has locked the files or file. Try again once the other IPTraf-ng process has terminated or completed its modifications and unlocked the files.

`Unable to resolve hostname`

> The indicated host name in the filter cannot be resolved into an IP address. Check the local hosts database `/etc/hosts` or your machine's DNS configuration or DNS server. The filter parameters will not be used.

`Unable to open host description file`

> IPTraf-ng cannot open the file containing the descriptions for Ethernet or FDDI addresses. Could be due to a bad disk or a hit on the file descriptor limit.

`Unable to write host description`

> IPTraf-ng was unable to write the description record for this Ethernet or FDDI address. Could be due to a bad disk or corrupted filesystem.

`No descriptions`

> You tried to edit or delete a description with no previous descriptions defined.

`Cannot open log file`

> There is a problem opening the log file. There is most likely a problem with the disk, or there are too many open files.

`Unable to obtain interface list`

> IPTraf-ng was unable to retrieve the list of network interfaces from the `/proc` filesystem. This may be due to a badly configured kernel. IPTraf-ng needs `/proc` filesystem support.

`No active interfaces. Check their status or the /proc filesystem.`

> IPTraf-ng found no active interfaces. Either all interfaces are down or the `/proc/net/dev` file was empty or unavailable. Activate at least one interface or check the `/proc/net/dev` file.

`Unable to obtain interface parameters for interface`

> The system call to retrieve the interface's flags failed. Check your interface or kernel driver.

`Promisc change failed for interface`

> The system call to change the promiscuous flag failed. Check your interface or its kernel driver.

`Unable to open raw socket for flag change`

> IPTraf-ng was unable to open the necessary socket for the promiscuous change operation. May be due to a shortage of file descriptors.

`Unable to open socket for MTU determination`

> Returned by the facility for detailed interface statistics if the raw socket's opening sequence failed. The facility will abort.

`Unable to open raw socket`

> IPTraf-ng was unable to open the raw socket for packet capture. May be due to a shortage of file descriptors.

> | Reminder
> | IPTraf 2.x.x requires Linux kernel 2.2.x, with the Packet Socket option compiled in or installed as a module. IPTraf 2.x will return this error on a pre-2.2 kernel or on a 2.2 kernel without Packet Socket.

`Unable to obtain interface MTU`

> The detailed statistics facility was unable to obtain the maximum transmission unit (MTU) for the selected interface. The facility will abort.

`Specified interface not supported`

> The interface specified with the `-i`, `-d`, `-s`, `-l`, or `-z` command-line parameters is not supported by IPTraf-ng.

`Specified interface not active`

> The interface specified with the `-i`, `-d`, `-s`, `-l`, or `-z` command-line parameters is supported, but not currently activated.

`Fatal: memory allocation error`

> May occur if you have too little memory to allocate for windows, the menu system, or dialog boxes. IPTraf-ng tries to prevent further allocations if memory runs out during a monitor. However, this could also mean a bug if you're reasonably sure you're not out of memory. An instructional message on bug reporting follows this message.

> | Technical note
> | This is actually a response to the segmentation fault error (SIGSEGV).

`This program can be run only by the system administrator`

> IPTraf-ng normally does not allow anybody but uid 0 (root) to run it. This measure is included for safety reasons. See the section on recompiling the program below if you want to override this. This feature is built in, and not part of the configuration

`Your TERM variable is not set`

> The `TERM` (terminal type) environment variable must be set to a valid terminal type so that the screen management routines can function properly. Set it to the appropriate terminal type. Linux consoles typically have their `TERM` variables set to `linux`.

`Received TERM signal`

> Not related to the previous message. The `TERM` (terminate) signal is normally used to gracefully shut down a program. This message simply indicates that the `TERM` signal was caught and IPTraf-ng is attempting to shut down as gracefully as possible.

`Invalid option or missing parameter, use iptraf-ng -h for help`

> The `-i`, `-d`, `-s`, `-l`, or `-z` options were specified but no interface was specified on the command line. These parameters require a valid interface name (or `all` for `-i` or `-l`). This message also appears if an unknown option is passed to the iptraf-ng command.

`Warning: unable to tag this process`

> IPTraf-ng normally tags itself when it runs to prevent multiple instances of the statistical facilities from running. This message means the program was unable to create the necessary tag file. This may be due to a bad or improper installation. Try running the make install procedure or the Setup in the distribution's top-level directory.

`Warning: unable to tag facility`

> IPTraf-ng was unable to create the tag file for the facility you started. The facility will still run, but other instances of IPTraf-ng that may be running simultaneously will allow the same facility to run. This may cause both instances of the facility to malfunction. This could be due to a bad disk or bad installation.

``facility` already running/listening on interface`

> The facility you tried to start is currently running on the indicated interface in another IPTraf-ng process on the machine. This restriction is placed to prevent conflicts involving internal sockets or the log files.

`General interface statistics already active in another process`

> Only one instance of the general interface statistics can run at a time.

`Duplicate port/range entry`

> You entered a port number or range that was already added to the list of additional ports to be monitored by the TCP/UDP service monitor

`No custom ports`

> There are no ports or port ranges earlier added. There's nothing to delete.

`Can't get communication sockets; lookups will block`

> IPTraf-ng cannot communicate with the resolving process. IPTraf-ng will fall back to blocking lookups.

`Can't spawn new process; lookups will block`

> IPTraf-ng cannot start a new process. This may be due to memory shortage. IPTraf-ng will fall back to blocking lookups.

`Fork error, IPTraf-ng cannot run in background`

> IPTraf-ng cannot start a new process, and can go into the background. This may be due to memory shortage. IPTraf-ng aborts.

`No memory for new filter entry`

> IPTraf-ng was unable to allocate memory for a new filter entry. Most likely due to memory shortage.

`Memory Low`

> This indicator appears if memory runs low due to a lot of entries in a facility. Should critical functions fail (window creation, internal allocation), the program could terminate with a segmentation violation.

> | Note
> | Any message or indicator about low memory means that your system does not have enough memory to handle the entries. It is almost certain that sooner or later, IPTraf-ng or other applications will abort due to the failure of important system calls or library functions. Memory must be added right away.

`IPC Error`

> This indicator appears if an error occurs receiving data from the resolving process (IPC stands for Interprocess Communication). This indication should not occur under normal circumstances. Report instances of this condition and the circumstances under which it happens. You may also include data from the `rvnamed-ng.log` file.

`Error opening terminal: `terminal``

> The screen management routines cannot find the `terminfo` entry for your terminal. IPTraf-ng expects the terminfo database located in `/usr/share/terminfo`. This error could occur when your terminfo database is located somewhere else. See the section on controlling the `terminfo` search path.

`This will end your IPTraf-ng session`

> In interactive mode IPTraf-ng asks you to confirm your exit command. Press Enter to return to the shell or any other key to cancel your command and return to the main menu.

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Background Operation |  | Resolving Process Messages