Arkime: Open-Source Network Analysis & Packet Capture Tool
â–¼ Summary
– Arkime is an open-source system for large-scale network analysis and packet capture that stores and indexes traffic in standard PCAP format.
– It includes a web interface for browsing and exporting PCAP files, plus APIs for downloading data in PCAP and JSON formats.
– The system has three main components: Capture (a C app for monitoring and parsing traffic), Viewer (a Node.js app for the web interface), and OpenSearch/Elasticsearch (the search database).
– Optional tools like Cont3xt, EsProxy, Parliament, and WiseService provide additional features such as contextual intelligence, security layers, cluster monitoring, and threat intelligence integration.
– Arkime is scalable to handle tens of gigabits per second of traffic, with retention based on disk and cluster size, and is available for free on GitHub.
For organizations managing extensive network infrastructures, finding a robust yet flexible solution for traffic analysis is essential. Arkime stands out as a powerful open-source platform designed specifically for large-scale packet capture and deep network inspection. It integrates smoothly with established security systems, storing and indexing network data in the widely compatible PCAP format. This approach ensures that stored information remains both searchable and accessible for thorough forensic review.
A user-friendly web interface allows security teams to effortlessly browse, filter, and export packet capture files. Beyond the visual dashboard, Arkime offers comprehensive APIs that support downloading PCAP and session data in JSON format. Since it relies on standard PCAP files, analysts can easily use additional tools like Wireshark for deeper packet analysis, making it a versatile addition to any security operations workflow.
The architecture of Arkime is built around three core components:
The Capture module is a C-based application responsible for monitoring live network traffic. It writes raw PCAP files to storage, parses individual packets, and forwards session metadata, often referred to as SPI data, to a linked OpenSearch or Elasticsearch database.
A Viewer application, developed in Node.js, operates on each capture node. It hosts the web interface and facilitates real-time packet transmission to user browsers, enabling interactive analysis.
Finally, an OpenSearch or Elasticsearch instance serves as the central search and indexing engine, organizing metadata for fast retrieval and complex querying.
Several optional tools further extend Arkime’s functionality:
Cont3xt assists investigators by aggregating contextual intelligence from various sources, enriching security alerts with external data.
EsProxy introduces an additional security barrier between capture agents and the search database, helping to control access and reduce potential exposure.
Parliament offers a unified view into multiple Arkime clusters, simplifying management and oversight for distributed deployments.
WiseService integrates external threat intelligence feeds directly into session metadata, allowing for automated enrichment and more informed decision-making.
One of Arkime’s most significant advantages is its scalability. It can be deployed across numerous systems and is capable of handling traffic volumes reaching tens of gigabits per second. Retention policies for PCAP files are determined by available local disk space, while metadata storage limits depend on the capacity of the Elasticsearch cluster. Both can be scaled up as needed, giving administrators full control over data longevity and system performance.
Arkime is freely available on GitHub, making it an accessible option for enterprises and researchers alike.
(Source: HelpNet Security)
