Software Requirements Specification (SRS) Document
Network Traffic Analyzer (NTA)
1. Introduction
a. The Software Requirements Specification (SRS) document outlines the requirements
for the Network Traffic Analyzer (NTA) software. The purpose of this document is to
provide a comprehensive overview of the features, functionalities, and constraints of
the NTA software.
1.1 Purpose The NTA software is designed to capture and analyze network traffic on a given network
interface. It provides users with insights into the traffic patterns, protocol usage, and potential
security threats within their network environment.
1.2 Scope The scope of the NTA software includes:
Capturing network packets from a specified network interface.
Analyzing captured packets to identify protocol types, source/destination IP addresses, and port
numbers.
Generating reports and visualizations based on the analyzed traffic data.
1.3 Definitions, Acronyms, and Abbreviations
NTA: Network Traffic Analyzer
SRS: Software Requirements Specification
GUI: Graphical User Interface
API: Application Programming Interface
2. Overall Description
2.1 Product Perspective The NTA software is a standalone application designed to run on various
operating systems (e.g., Linux, Windows). It interfaces directly with network interfaces to capture
packets using the pcap library. The software provides both a command-line interface (CLI) and a
graphical user interface (GUI) for user interaction.
2.2 Product Functions The key functions of the NTA software include:
Selecting a network interface for packet capture.
Starting and stopping packet capture.
Analyzing captured packets to extract relevant information such as protocol types, IP addresses, and
port numbers.
Generating reports and visualizations based on the analyzed data.
2.3 User Classes and Characteristics The primary users of the NTA software include:
Network administrators: Responsible for monitoring and managing network traffic.
Security analysts: Analyze network traffic for potential security threats and anomalies.
2.4 Operating Environment The NTA software is designed to operate on the following platforms:
Software Requirements Specification (SRS) Document
Linux-based systems (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS)
Windows operating systems (e.g., Windows 10, Windows Server)
2.5 Design and Implementation Constraints The NTA software relies on the availability of network
interfaces and the pcap library for packet capture. It may require administrative privileges to access
network interfaces and capture packets.
3. System Features
3.1 Feature 1: Network Interface Selection
Description: Allows users to select a network interface for packet capture.
Inputs: User selects a network interface from the available options.
Outputs: Selected network interface for packet capture.
3.2 Feature 2: Packet Capture
Description: Captures network packets from the selected network interface.
Inputs: Command to start packet capture.
Outputs: Captured packets stored in memory or a specified file.
3.3 Feature 3: Packet Analysis
Description: Analyzes captured packets to extract relevant information such as protocol types, IP
addresses, and port numbers.
Inputs: Captured packets.
Outputs: Analyzed packet data including protocol types, IP addresses, and port numbers.
3.4 Feature 4: Reporting and Visualization
Description: Generates reports and visualizations based on the analyzed packet data.
Inputs: Analyzed packet data.
Outputs: Reports and visualizations displaying network traffic patterns, protocol usage, etc.
4. External Interface Requirements
4.1 User Interfaces
Command-line interface (CLI): Allows users to interact with the software using text-based commands.
Graphical user interface (GUI): Provides a user-friendly interface for selecting options and viewing
reports.
4.2 Hardware Interfaces
Network interface cards (NICs): Interfaces with NICs to capture network packets.
Software Requirements Specification (SRS) Document
Disk storage: Stores captured packets and generated reports.
4.3 Software Interfaces
pcap library: Used for packet capture and analysis.
Operating system APIs: Interface with the underlying operating system for network communication.
5. Non-Functional Requirements
5.1 Performance
The software should be able to capture and analyze packets efficiently with minimal impact on
system performance.
Packet capture should be capable of handling high network traffic loads without dropping packets.
5.2 Reliability
The software should be robust and reliable, ensuring accurate packet capture and analysis under
various network conditions.
5.3 Usability
The user interface should be intuitive and easy to use, catering to both novice and experienced users.
Error messages and prompts should be clear and informative to aid troubleshooting.
5.4 Security
The software should adhere to security best practices to prevent unauthorized access to captured
packet data.
Access controls should be implemented to restrict access to sensitive features and data
6. Other Requirements
6.1 Documentation
The software should be accompanied by comprehensive documentation, including installation
instructions, user guides, and troubleshooting tips.
API documentation should be provided for developers interested in extending or integrating the
software.
6.2 Legal and Compliance
The software should comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including data privacy
regulations such as GDPR.
Open-source licenses and attribution requirements should be adhered to for any third-party libraries
or components used in the software.
Software Requirements Specification (SRS) Document
7. Appendix
7.1 Glossary
NTA: Network Traffic Analyzer
SRS: Software Requirements Specification
GUI: Graphical User Interface
API: Application Programming Interface
NIC: Network Interface Card
CLI: Command-line Interface
