Abstract:
Network traffic analysis is an arrangement of strategies that are progressively used to
evaluate the transfer of packets across a network. This movement of information
encompasses the period and length of the transferred packets and the state of the
correspondence packets. The analysis of system activity gives data about the client as
well as the destination of packets thereby enabling system administrators get
information to help the network. Analysis of network activity is a significant
undertaking resulting in valuable contributions both to the commercial sector and the
research community. The study explores the use of networking tools as well as models
to ensure network efficiency. To be able to capture data traffic, Wireshark application
was installed and run to capture packets of data passing through the network interface
card. Other tools like Microsoft Windows 7/Win Server 2008, Microsoft Office 2007,
Mozilla Firefox and Wincap was used to support the study. The study revealed that
when packets are captured using the Wireshark, the application indicates the date the
activity was carried out on the subnet. Those packets traverses therefore if the source is
known an inference can be made as whether at that time the use was supposed to work
or not so that date and timing can be monitored. The study found that by virtue of
knowing the source and destination of the IP address, administrators can easily identify
the user of that particular personal computer. The study recommends that in order to
maintain undisturbed links in the network, activities of users of the network must be
monitored to find out what they do with their personal computers that is connected to
the organization’s network.
Description:
A dissertation in the Department of Information Technology Education,
Faculty of Technical Education, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Science
(Information Technology Education)
in the University of Education, Winneba
MAY, 2020