Mac OS X | IT & Network Administration | Other Network / Admin | LFT

LFT - 2.2

Traceroute tool for network engineers

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(File Size: 167k)

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All Time:	(4.0)
Version 2.2:	(3.0)
Selected Version:	2.2
Release Date:	2003-06-14
License:	Freeware
Downloads (version 2.2):	151
Downloads (all versions):	14,450

Information Related to Version:

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Product Description:

LFT, short for Layer Four Traceroute, is a sort of 'traceroute' that often works much faster (than the commonly-used Van Jacobson method) and goes through many configurations of packet-filter based firewalls. More importantly, LFT implements numerous other features including AS number lookups, loose source routing, netblock name lookups, et al.

What makes LFT unique? Rather than launching UDP probes in an attempt to elicit ICMP TIME_EXCEEDEDs from hosts in the path, LFT accomplishes substantively the same effect using TCP SYN or FIN probes. Then, LFT listens for TIME_EXCEEDED messages, TCP RESET, and various other interesting heuristics from firewalls or other gateways in the path. LFT also distinguishes between TCP-based protocols (source and destination), which make its statistics slightly more realistic, and gives a savvy user the ability to trace protocol routes, not just layer-3 (IP) hops.

Operating System Requirements:

This product is designed to run on the following operating systems:

Mac OS X 10.3
Mac OS X 10.2
Mac OS X 10.1
Mac OS X 10.0

Additional Requirements:

Mac OS X 10.0 or higher

Feedback Summary:

Version 2.2:
Overall Rating:	(3.0)	Features:	(4.0)	Support:	(3.0)
Ease of Use:	(1.0)	Quality / Stability:	(4.0)	Price:	(5.0)

Key to Types of Feedback:

Reviews Reviews Troubleshooting Usage Tips Developer Notes Commentary Featured Reviews

Best total replacement for traceroute - Version: 3.0b, 12/20/2006 07:29AM PST

(2 of 2 users found this comment useful)

james150

This is the best total replacement for traceroute I've found. There are other options, notably tcptraceroute, but LFT doesn't make you choose between tracing protocols.. You can use TCP or UDP. You can manipulate protocol state and set every knob and lever you'd ever want. Plus, it's the only one available with integration of whois sources for routing information instead of just integrating registrar lookups. If you're looking for a flexible traceroute replacement that does it all, look no further. I've used this for years and it keeps getting better.

I also noticed the author has a graphical version for Windows and Mac OS X called Path Analyzer Pro. I haven't checked it out yet, but I will.

The Easy Way - Version: 2.3.1, 7/20/2005 10:17PM PST

(2 of 3 users found this comment useful)

amcgee

Layer Four Traceroute is easily installable via the DarwinPorts package management system:

sudo port install lft

Most Recent Replies: View All 1 Replies

I agree

There is a pre-build version! - Version: 2.3.1, 6/29/2005 02:40PM PST

(4 of 5 users found this comment useful)

Marty.Skinner

Use the Developer's Site link above and then look for "LFT MacOS X" under the Download LFT section on the right.

You'd think that the pre-built version should be what's listed for this package on VersionTracker, not (just) the source kit.

It *is* just a command-line utility -- not a GUI so if you're not comfortable with Terminal you won't benefit from this package at all.

/Marty