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Terminal screenshot showing nload monitoring network traffic on AlmaLinux with live upload/download graphs.

How to Install and Use nload on AlmaLinux 8/9: Monitor Network Traffic in Real-Time

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Introduction

Monitoring network traffic is essential for diagnosing performance issues, optimizing bandwidth, and ensuring server reliability. nload is a lightweight, command-line tool that provides real-time insights into your network interfaces’ upload and download speeds. Whether you’re managing a server, troubleshooting connectivity, or simply curious about network activity, this guide will walk you through installing and using nload on AlmaLinux 8 or 9.

What is nload?

nload is a terminal-based utility that displays incoming and outgoing network traffic in real-time. Key features include:

  • Live Graphs: Visualize traffic with dynamic ASCII charts.
  • Multiple Interfaces: Monitor specific or all network interfaces (e.g., eth0, wlan0).
  • Minimal Resource Usage: Lightweight and ideal for servers.
  • User-Friendly: No complex setup required.

Prerequisites

  • AlmaLinux 8 or 9 installed.
  • Terminal access with sudo privileges.
  • An active internet connection.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Ensure your system is up-to-date:

sudo dnf update -y

Step 2: Enable the EPEL Repository

nload is available in the EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) repository. Enable EPEL:

sudo dnf install epel-release -y

Step 3: Install nload

Install the package using dnf:

sudo dnf install nload -y

Step 4: Verify Installation

Confirm nload is installed correctly:

nload --version
# Output example: nload 0.7.4

Basic Usage of nload

  1. Monitor All Interfaces:
   nload
  • Use arrow keys to switch interfaces.
  • Press q to quit.
  1. Monitor a Specific Interface (e.g., eth0):
   nload eth0
  1. Adjust Refresh Interval (e.g., 2 seconds):
   nload -t 2000 eth0

Understanding the nload Interface

  • Incoming Traffic (Incoming): Download speed (e.g., Curr: 1.45 Mbit/s).
  • Outgoing Traffic (Outgoing): Upload speed.
  • Graphs: Visualize traffic spikes over time.
  • Device: Name of the monitored interface.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

1. EPEL Repository Not Found

If epel-release fails to install, manually add the EPEL repo:

sudo dnf install https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/epel/epel-release-latest-$(rpm -E %rhel).noarch.rpm -y

2. Interface Not Detected

List active interfaces to confirm the correct name (e.g., eth0, enp0s3):

ip a

3. Permission Denied

Run nload with sudo if restricted:

sudo nload

Uninstalling nload

To remove the tool:

sudo dnf remove nload -y

Alternatives to nload

  • iftop: Monitor bandwidth per connection.
  • vnStat: Track hourly/daily/monthly usage.
  • bmon: Advanced interface statistics.

Why Use nload on AlmaLinux?

  • Real-Time Insights: Identify bandwidth spikes instantly.
  • Server-Friendly: No GUI required—ideal for headless systems.
  • Quick Diagnostics: Troubleshoot network issues faster.

Conclusion

nload is a powerful yet simple tool for monitoring network traffic on AlmaLinux 8/9. With just a few commands, you can install it via the EPEL repository and start analyzing bandwidth usage in real-time. Whether you’re optimizing a web server or auditing network performance, nload delivers clarity without complexity.

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“Terminal screenshot showing nload monitoring network traffic on AlmaLinux with live upload/download graphs.”

Need Help?

Optimize your server’s performance today with nload! 🚀🔍

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