$ Linux Command

Network

ftptop

Real-time FTP server connection monitor.

ftpservermonitorconnectionsrealtime

Additional Notes

ftptop provides a real-time, top-style display of current FTP connections to a ProFTPD server. It continuously updates to show active sessions, the connected user, remote host, transfer status, data transferred, and connection duration.

It is useful for monitoring FTP server activity, diagnosing performance issues, and observing transfer patterns. The display updates at a configurable interval and can be filtered by virtual host or class.

Syntax

ftptop [options]

Parameters

  • options: Flags that change how ftptop behaves.
  • target: Optional file, device, interface, user, service, or command target when the command supports one.

Common Options

  • -h host: Connect to the specified host's status socket.
  • -p port: Use the specified port for the status connection.
  • -D delay: Set the display refresh interval in seconds (default is 2).
  • -S: Group output by virtual server.
  • -C: Group output by connection class.
  • -o: Show output in an alternative format.
  • -?: Display help.

Examples

ftptop

Start the real-time FTP connection monitor.

ftptop -D 5

Update the display every 5 seconds.

ftptop -h localhost -S

Monitor a local server with output grouped by virtual server.

ftptop -p 4444

Connect to the status port on a non-default port.

Practical Notes

  • ftptop is specific to ProFTPD and requires the mod_status module.
  • Press q to quit the interactive display.
  • The columns typically show PID, user, remote address, transfer direction, file, and speed.
  • For a text-based snapshot of current connections, use ftpwho instead.
  • The ProFTPD server must have ServerStatus and SocketBindTight configured.