SmokePing
SmokePing measures network latency, latency variation, and packet loss, then stores and displays those results.
What SmokePing is
SmokePing measures network latency, latency variation, and packet loss, then stores and displays those results. Each measurement sends several test packets and shows round-trip-time variation and packet loss alongside the median. RRDtool supports long-term storage and graph generation, while the web interface offers interactive graph zooming and a chart mode for highlighting graphs. Probes include basic ping, web requests, and custom protocols; documented examples cover DNS, LDAP, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, and TCP ping. Configurable alarms can respond to latency patterns, and a master/slave deployment can measure targets from multiple sources in parallel. The tool also supports plug-in probes, alarms, and charting functions. SmokePing is free software under GPL version 2 or later, intended for self-hosted deployment on Linux or other Unix systems. Installation requires Unix, Perl, RRDtool, FPing, and a web server capable of running CGI scripts. Its CGI documentation warns that exposing ARGV to the web server can be a security vulnerability and recommends using the wrapper script.
Good
- Stores and graphs long-term measurements
- Supports configurable latency-pattern alarms
- Master/slave deployments monitor from multiple sources
- Free software under GPL version 2 or later
Watch out
- Requires Unix, Perl, RRDtool, and FPing
- Web interface needs a CGI-capable server
- CGI documentation warns against exposing ARGV
Who it suits
SmokePing suits users who can maintain a self-hosted network monitoring installation and want latency, variation, and packet-loss graphs. Its probes and configurable alarms also suit monitoring across varied network targets.
Verdict
SmokePing provides detailed latency and packet-loss monitoring with extensible probes and alarms. Its self-hosted setup has specific prerequisites, and the CGI security warning merits attention during deployment.
Plans and prices
From SmokePing's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| SmokePing | Free | Free software under GPL v2 or later · self-hosted installation · requires Unix, Perl, RRDtool, FPing, and a web server for its web interface |
The facts
Each one read from SmokePing's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Alarms
- Its alarm system can trigger on configurable latency patterns.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Current download listing
- The official download area lists SmokePing 2.9.0, dated February 19, 2025, as a source tarball.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Data detail
- Each measurement sends several test packets and displays round-trip-time variation and packet loss alongside the median.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment requirements
- The installation guide lists Unix, Perl, RRDtool, and FPing as prerequisites, and the web interface requires a web server that can run CGI scripts.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Distributed monitoring
- A master/slave deployment can measure targets from multiple sources in parallel.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- SmokePing supports plug-in probes, alarms, and charting functions.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Graph navigation
- The web interface supports interactive graph zooming and chart mode for highlighting interesting graphs.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License
- SmokePing is free software under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or any later version.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Long-term graphs
- It uses RRDtool for long-term data storage and graph generation.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Probe examples
- Documented probes include DNS, LDAP, SSH, HTTP, HTTPS, and TCP ping probes.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Probes
- Its probes range from simple ping to web requests and custom protocols.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SmokePing measures, stores, and displays network latency, latency distribution, and packet loss.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security note
- The CGI documentation warns that exposing ARGV to the web server can be a security vulnerability and recommends using the wrapper script.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users with questions to its SmokePing users mailing list, where the maintainer says he participates occasionally.checked 9 Oct 2026
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