MRTG
MRTG is free software for monitoring network traffic and publishing HTML pages with PNG graphs.
What MRTG is
MRTG is free software for monitoring network traffic and publishing HTML pages with PNG graphs. It can track router traffic, selected SNMP variables, or data collected by an external program. Graphs cover daily, seven-day, five-week, and twelve-month periods, while consolidated logs retain relevant traffic data for two years. MRTG includes an SNMP implementation written in Perl and supports SNMPv2c 64-bit counters. Configuration tools can identify router interfaces by IP address, description, or Ethernet address. The appearance of generated pages is configurable, and built-in hooks let users work with RRDtool. The download page offers tar.gz files for Unix and zip files for Windows. MRTG is available under the GNU General Public License, with stated restrictions on claiming authorship and relicensing. The project lists user, announcement, and developer mailing lists, along with Usenet and IRC discussion options.
Good
- Free software under the GNU GPL.
- Supports SNMPv2c 64-bit counters.
- Graphs cover daily through twelve-month views.
- Logs retain relevant traffic data for two years.
- Generated webpage appearance is configurable.
Watch out
- Unix downloads are provided as tar.gz files.
- Windows downloads are provided as zip files.
- The license has stated authorship and relicensing restrictions.
Who it suits
MRTG may suit users who want to monitor router traffic or other SNMP and externally collected data on Linux, Windows, or self-hosted systems. Its mailing lists and discussion channels are aimed at users and developers.
Verdict
MRTG provides traffic monitoring and graph generation with configurable pages and multiple data sources. Check the GNU GPL terms and available download formats against your needs.
Plans and prices
From MRTG's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| MRTG | Free | Monitors SNMP devices and other data sources · Free software under the GNU GPL |
The facts
Each one read from MRTG's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Configuration
- The software includes configuration tools and supports identifying router interfaces by IP address, description, or Ethernet address.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Data sources
- It can monitor router traffic, any chosen SNMP variable, or data gathered by an external program.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Distribution
- The download page directs Unix users to tar.gz files and Windows users to zip files.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Graphs
- MRTG generates PNG graphics, and the appearance of its generated webpages is configurable.checked 30 Sep 2026
- History
- Its graphs include daily, seven-day, five-week, and twelve-month views, while consolidated logs retain relevant traffic data for two years.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes mailing lists for MRTG users and for people developing software connected to MRTG or modifying MRTG itself.checked 30 Sep 2026
- License
- MRTG is available under the GNU General Public License; the license page says users may use it subject to its stated restrictions on claiming authorship and relicensing it.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- MRTG monitors network traffic and generates HTML pages with PNG graphs showing it.checked 30 Sep 2026
- RRDtool
- MRTG has built-in hooks for using RRDtool.checked 30 Sep 2026
- SNMP
- MRTG includes an SNMP implementation written in Perl and supports SNMPv2c 64-bit counters.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The maker lists user, announcement, and developer mailing lists, plus Usenet and IRC discussion options.checked 30 Sep 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1995checked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The maker’s pages describe MRTG for Unix/Linux and Windows, and the download page points to a NetWare installation guide.checked 30 Sep 2026
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