Fix ArpON: Troubleshooting Common Issues

TL;DR

ArpON isn’t detecting rogue devices? This guide covers common problems and how to fix them, from interface issues to configuration errors. We’ll walk through checking your setup, ensuring it’s running correctly, and verifying its effectiveness.

Troubleshooting ArpON

1. Check Interface Configuration

   ArpON needs to monitor the correct network interface. A common mistake is specifying the wrong one or having multiple interfaces active unnecessarily.

   • Identify your network interface: Use ip addr or ifconfig -a (depending on your system) to list all available interfaces. Look for the one connected to your LAN.

     ip addr

   • Verify ArpON’s configuration file: The config file is usually located at /etc/arpON/arpON.conf. Ensure the `interface` parameter points to the correct interface name (e.g., eth0, wlan0).

     interface=eth0

   • Disable unused interfaces: If you have multiple active network interfaces, disable those not being monitored to reduce noise and potential errors.

     sudo ifconfig  down

2. Ensure ArpON is Running

   Sometimes, the service simply isn’t active. Let’s check its status.

   • Check service status: Use systemctl status arpON to see if the service is running.

     systemctl status arpON

   • Start/Restart the service: If it’s stopped, start it with sudo systemctl start arpON. If it’s already running, a restart can often resolve issues: sudo systemctl restart arpON.

     sudo systemctl start arpON

   • Enable on boot: To ensure ArpON starts automatically after a reboot, use sudo systemctl enable arpON.

     sudo systemctl enable arpON

3. Review Log Files

   Log files provide valuable clues about what’s going wrong. Check for errors or warnings.

   • Locate the log file: The default location is usually /var/log/arpON/arpON.log.
   • Examine the logs: Use a text editor (like nano or vim) or tail -f /var/log/arpON/arpON.log to view the log in real-time.

     tail -f /var/log/arpON/arpON.log

4. Check for Conflicting Software

   Other cyber security tools or network monitoring applications might interfere with ArpON.

   • Identify potential conflicts: Look for other programs that use ARP scanning, packet sniffing, or network interface manipulation.
   • Temporarily disable conflicting software: Disable these programs one by one to see if it resolves the issue.

5. Verify ArpON Detection

   Test whether ArpON is actually detecting rogue devices.

   • Introduce a test device: Connect a device to your network with a deliberately incorrect MAC address or IP address.
   • Monitor the logs: Check /var/log/arpON/arpON.log for alerts about the new device.
   • Use Wireshark (optional): Capture network traffic using Wireshark to confirm that ArpON is seeing the rogue ARP requests.