SmokePing

SmokePing is an active monitoring system for measuring network latency, latency variation (jitter), and packet loss. It continuously runs probes, stores long-term time-series results, and presents interactive graphs via a web interface.

Key Features

• Measures latency, latency distribution, jitter, and packet loss over time
• RRDtool-based long-term datastore and graph generation
• Extensible probe architecture (from ICMP ping to HTTP and custom protocols)
• Configurable alarm system that triggers on defined latency patterns
• Master/slave model to run measurements from multiple source locations
• Web UI with CGI rendering and Ajax-based interactive graph navigation/zooming
• Customizable presentation via web templates and configuration

Use Cases

• Track ISP or site-to-site link quality and detect intermittent packet loss
• Compare latency to the same targets from multiple locations using distributed probes
• Alert on recurring latency spikes that impact voice, video, or critical services

SmokePing is a mature choice for long-term visibility into network performance, combining flexible probing, efficient time-series storage, and clear visualization. It fits well in NOC, homelab, and multi-site environments where understanding latency patterns matters.