How To Install Zeek Network Security on Rocky Linux 10

Network security monitoring has become essential for organizations of all sizes. Zeek, formerly known as Bro, stands out as one of the most powerful open-source network security monitoring platforms available today. This comprehensive guide walks you through the complete process of installing and configuring Zeek Network Security Monitor on Rocky Linux 10, enabling you to detect threats, analyze network traffic, and enhance your overall security posture.

Zeek provides real-time traffic analysis, deep packet inspection, and sophisticated protocol detection capabilities that go beyond traditional intrusion detection systems. Unlike signature-based tools, Zeek analyzes network behavior and generates comprehensive logs that security teams can use for threat hunting, incident response, and forensic investigations. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a fully functional Zeek installation monitoring your network infrastructure.

What is Zeek Network Security Monitor?

Zeek represents a paradigm shift in network security monitoring. Rather than simply matching packets against signature databases, Zeek interprets network protocols and creates high-level events that describe network activity. This approach provides security analysts with context-rich data that reveals the complete picture of network communications.

The platform excels at protocol-level analysis, supporting dozens of protocols including HTTP, DNS, FTP, SSL/TLS, SSH, SMTP, and many others. Each protocol analyzer extracts relevant metadata and generates structured logs that contain detailed information about network sessions. Zeek’s flexible scripting language allows security teams to write custom detection rules, implement behavioral analysis, and create tailored monitoring solutions that address specific organizational needs.

What distinguishes Zeek from traditional intrusion detection systems is its comprehensive logging and scriptability. Every network connection generates detailed records that include source and destination addresses, ports, protocols, byte counts, connection states, and protocol-specific metadata. This granular visibility enables security teams to conduct thorough investigations, identify anomalous behavior, and detect sophisticated attacks that evade signature-based detection methods.

Zeek supports both standalone and cluster deployment architectures. Standalone mode suits small networks and testing environments, while cluster mode scales to monitor high-bandwidth enterprise networks by distributing processing across multiple worker nodes. Integration capabilities with SIEM platforms like Elasticsearch, Splunk, and Wazuh make Zeek a cornerstone of modern security operations centers.

Prerequisites

Before beginning the installation process, ensure your environment meets the necessary requirements. Rocky Linux 10 serves as the foundation for this deployment, and proper system specifications ensure optimal performance.

Hardware requirements vary based on network traffic volume. A minimum configuration includes 4 CPU cores, 8GB RAM, and 100GB storage for testing and small networks. Production environments monitoring significant traffic require more robust resources: 12 or more physical CPU cores, 64GB RAM or higher, and substantial storage capacity for log retention. Each Zeek worker process typically requires approximately 6GB of RAM, so calculate your memory needs based on the number of workers you plan to deploy.

Network interface considerations matter significantly for traffic monitoring. Dedicated network interface cards optimized for packet capture provide better performance than shared interfaces. The monitoring interface should support promiscuous mode for capturing all network traffic passing through the segment you’re monitoring.

You’ll need root or sudo access to install packages, modify system configurations, and manage services. Basic Linux command-line proficiency helps navigate the installation process smoothly. A stable internet connection enables package downloads and repository access. Understanding network protocols and security concepts, while optional, enhances your ability to configure and optimize Zeek for your specific use case.

Step 1: Update Your Rocky Linux 10 System

System updates form the foundation of any secure server deployment. Beginning with current packages ensures compatibility, stability, and protection against known vulnerabilities. Rocky Linux uses the DNF package manager, the next-generation replacement for YUM that provides improved performance and dependency resolution.

Execute the following command to update all installed packages to their latest versions:

sudo dnf update -y

This command checks all configured repositories, identifies available updates, and installs them automatically. The -y flag automatically confirms the installation, streamlining the update process. Follow this with the upgrade command:

sudo dnf upgrade -y

The upgrade operation handles package obsolescence and major version transitions more aggressively than the standard update command. Together, these commands ensure your Rocky Linux 10 system has the latest security patches, bug fixes, and feature improvements.

After significant kernel updates, reboot your system to ensure the new kernel loads:

sudo reboot

Verify your system version and kernel information after the reboot:

cat /etc/rocky-release
uname -r

These commands display your Rocky Linux version and active kernel version, confirming successful updates. Regular system updates maintain security and stability throughout your Zeek deployment’s lifecycle.

Step 2: Install Required Dependencies

Zeek’s sophisticated network analysis capabilities rely on numerous system libraries and development tools. Installing these dependencies before Zeek ensures compilation success and proper runtime operation.

Execute the following comprehensive dependency installation command:

sudo dnf install cmake make gcc gcc-c++ flex bison libpcap-devel openssl-devel python3 python3-pip zlib-devel git curl -y

Each dependency serves specific purposes in Zeek’s ecosystem. CMake manages the build configuration process, generating platform-specific makefiles. The make utility orchestrates compilation. GCC and G++ provide the C and C++ compilers required to build Zeek’s codebase. Flex and Bison generate lexical analyzers and parsers for Zeek’s scripting language.

Libpcap-devel supplies the packet capture library that enables Zeek to intercept network traffic. OpenSSL-devel provides cryptographic functions and SSL/TLS analysis capabilities. Python3 and pip support Zeek’s management utilities and extensions. Zlib-devel enables compression support for log files and data processing. Git facilitates source code retrieval and version control operations. Curl handles file downloads and repository interactions.

Verify successful dependency installation by checking key package versions:

gcc --version
cmake --version
python3 --version

These commands confirm that essential tools installed correctly and display their version information. Proper dependency installation prevents compilation errors and ensures Zeek operates with full functionality.

Step 3: Configure Zeek Repository (Recommended Method)

Installing Zeek from official repositories offers significant advantages over source compilation. Repository installation provides automatic dependency resolution, simplified updates, and faster deployment. The OpenSUSE Build Service maintains current Zeek packages for Rocky Linux distributions.

Begin by importing the Zeek GPG key for package verification. This cryptographic key ensures package authenticity and protects against tampered downloads:

curl -fsSL https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/security:zeek/CentOS_10_Stream/repodata/repomd.xml.key | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-zeek > /dev/null

The command downloads the public key, converts it to the appropriate format, and stores it in the system’s trusted keyring. Next, create a repository configuration file that points to the Zeek package repository:

sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/zeek.repo <<EOF
[zeek]
name=Zeek Network Security Monitor
baseurl=https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/security:/zeek/CentOS_10_Stream/
enabled=1
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=file:///etc/pki/rpm-gpg/RPM-GPG-KEY-zeek
EOF

This configuration defines the repository name, package source URL, enables the repository, and specifies GPG verification. The baseurl parameter points to the Rocky Linux 10 compatible repository path. Update your system’s repository cache to include the newly added Zeek repository:

sudo dnf update -y

Verify the repository addition by listing active repositories:

dnf repolist | grep zeek

The output should display the Zeek repository as enabled and ready for package installation. Repository-based installation simplifies future updates, as running dnf update will automatically retrieve new Zeek versions when they become available.

Step 4: Install Zeek Network Security Monitor

With repositories properly configured, installing Zeek becomes straightforward. Zeek offers two release tracks: Long-Term Support (LTS) versions and feature releases. LTS versions prioritize stability and receive extended support, making them ideal for production environments. Feature releases include the latest capabilities but may introduce breaking changes between versions.

Install the Zeek LTS version using the DNF package manager:

sudo dnf install zeek-lts -y

Alternatively, install the latest feature release for access to cutting-edge functionality:

sudo dnf install zeek -y

The installation process downloads Zeek and any remaining dependencies, then installs everything to the /opt/zeek/ directory. This standard installation location keeps Zeek separate from system files, simplifying management and future upgrades.

The default directory structure organizes Zeek’s components logically. The /opt/zeek/bin/ directory contains executable binaries and management utilities. Configuration files reside in /opt/zeek/etc/, providing centralized access to network settings, node definitions, and policy configurations. Log files accumulate in /opt/zeek/logs/, with the current subdirectory containing active logs. Zeek scripts and policies populate /opt/zeek/share/zeek/, offering extensible detection capabilities and protocol analyzers.

Verify successful installation by examining the Zeek directory structure:

ls -la /opt/zeek/

This command displays the installed directories and confirms Zeek’s presence on your system. Check disk space availability, as Zeek generates substantial log data over time:

df -h /opt/zeek/

Adequate storage ensures continuous logging without interruption.

Alternative: Building Zeek from Source

Source compilation provides flexibility for customization, optimization, and accessing development versions. While repository installation suffices for most deployments, certain scenarios benefit from building Zeek from source code.

Clone the Zeek repository from GitHub, including all submodules:

cd /usr/local/src
sudo git clone --recursive https://github.com/zeek/zeek.git

The --recursive flag ensures that all required submodules download along with the main codebase. Navigate to the source directory:

cd zeek

Configure the build process with your preferred installation prefix:

sudo ./configure --prefix=/opt/zeek

The configure script checks for dependencies, generates build files, and prepares for compilation. Customize additional options like enabling debugging symbols or specifying compiler flags if needed.

Compile Zeek using multiple processor cores to accelerate the build:

sudo make -j$(nproc)

The -j$(nproc) flag parallelizes compilation across all available CPU cores, significantly reducing build time. Compilation duration varies based on system performance, typically ranging from 15 minutes on powerful servers to over an hour on modest systems.

Install the compiled binaries:

sudo make install

This command copies executables, libraries, scripts, and configuration files to the specified prefix directory. Source compilation requires manual updates when new versions release, unlike repository installations that update automatically.

Step 5: Configure Environment Variables

Adding Zeek binaries to your system PATH enables convenient access from any directory without specifying full paths. System-wide PATH configuration ensures all users can execute Zeek commands.

Create a profile script that sets the PATH variable:

echo "export PATH=\$PATH:/opt/zeek/bin" | sudo tee -a /etc/profile.d/zeek.sh

This command appends the Zeek binary directory to the existing PATH. Source the configuration to apply changes immediately:

source /etc/profile.d/zeek.sh

Alternatively, add the PATH modification to your personal .bashrc file for user-specific configuration:

echo "export PATH=\$PATH:/opt/zeek/bin" >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

Verify the PATH configuration by displaying the current value:

echo $PATH

The output should include /opt/zeek/bin in the directory list. Test Zeek accessibility by checking its version from any location:

zeek --version

The command should display Zeek’s version information, confirming successful PATH configuration. Proper environment setup streamlines daily operations and management tasks.

Step 6: Configure Network Settings

Accurate network configuration enables Zeek to properly classify traffic as internal or external, essential for threat detection and analysis. Zeek uses the networks.cfg file to define organizational address space.

Identify your network interfaces using the ip command:

ip a

This displays all network interfaces, their IP addresses, and status. Note the interface names and IP ranges relevant to your deployment. Edit the networks configuration file:

sudo nano /opt/zeek/etc/networks.cfg

Define your internal network ranges using CIDR notation. Standard private IP address spaces include:

10.0.0.0/8          Private
172.16.0.0/12       Private
192.168.0.0/16      Private

Add organization-specific subnets, DMZ segments, and other network zones as needed. Each entry classifies the specified address range, helping Zeek distinguish internal communications from external connections. Proper classification improves alert accuracy and reduces false positives.

For enterprise environments with complex network topologies, include all relevant subnets:

10.10.0.0/16        Internal
10.20.0.0/16        DMZ
192.168.100.0/24    Management

Save the file and exit the editor. Accurate network definitions form the foundation of effective threat detection and behavioral analysis.

Step 7: Configure Zeek Node Settings

Node configuration determines Zeek’s operational architecture. The node.cfg file defines whether Zeek runs in standalone mode or cluster mode, specifies monitored interfaces, and allocates processing resources.

Edit the node configuration file:

sudo nano /opt/zeek/etc/node.cfg

For basic deployments, standalone mode provides simplicity. The default configuration typically includes a standalone node definition:

[zeek]
type=standalone
host=localhost
interface=eth0

Replace eth0 with your actual monitoring interface name identified earlier. Standalone mode suits small networks, testing environments, and low to moderate traffic volumes.

Cluster mode scales to handle high-bandwidth networks by distributing processing across multiple specialized components. Even on a single server, cluster mode offers better resource utilization. Configure cluster mode by disabling the standalone section and defining cluster components:

[logger]
type=logger
host=localhost

[manager]
type=manager
host=localhost

[proxy-1]
type=proxy
host=localhost

[worker-1]
type=worker
host=localhost
interface=eth0
lb_method=pf_ring
lb_procs=4

Logger nodes aggregate and write log files. Manager nodes coordinate the cluster and distribute policy scripts. Proxy nodes balance load and relay messages between manager and workers. Worker nodes perform actual traffic analysis, with each worker handling a portion of network traffic.

The lb_method parameter specifies load balancing technique. The lb_procs value determines how many worker processes analyze traffic on the specified interface. Allocate workers based on available CPU cores and traffic volume. Production environments benefit from multiple workers per high-speed interface.

Save the configuration and exit. Proper node configuration optimizes performance and ensures comprehensive network coverage.

Step 8: Adjust Zeek Configuration Files

Customizing Zeek’s behavior requires modifying policy scripts and configuration parameters. The local.zeek file serves as the primary location for site-specific customizations.

Edit the local policy file:

sudo nano /opt/zeek/share/zeek/site/local.zeek

This file loads protocol analyzers, enables detection scripts, and sets operational parameters. Common customizations include adjusting timeout values for long-running connections:

redef tcp_inactivity_timeout = 60 min;
redef tcp_attempt_delay = 5 min;

These settings prevent premature connection termination for legitimate long-lived sessions while maintaining reasonable timeouts for security monitoring.

Enable additional protocol analyzers and detection frameworks:

@load protocols/http/detect-webapps
@load protocols/ssl/validate-certs
@load frameworks/files/detect-MHR

These directives activate web application detection, SSL certificate validation, and file hash analysis. Zeek’s extensive script library provides hundreds of pre-built analyzers and detection mechanisms.

Configure logging preferences to include or exclude specific data:

redef Log::default_rotation_interval = 1 hr;
redef Log::default_rotation_postprocessor_cmd = "gzip";

Log rotation and compression manage disk space consumption while preserving historical data for analysis.

Back up default configurations before making changes:

sudo cp /opt/zeek/share/zeek/site/local.zeek /opt/zeek/share/zeek/site/local.zeek.backup

Configuration backups enable quick recovery if modifications cause issues. Save your changes and prepare for deployment.

Step 9: Configure Firewall Rules (Optional)

Firewall configuration ensures proper Zeek operation while maintaining system security. Rocky Linux 10 uses firewalld for firewall management. In standalone deployments, Zeek typically doesn’t require incoming connections, simplifying firewall configuration.

Check firewall status:

sudo firewall-cmd --state

For cluster deployments, allow communication between cluster components on necessary ports. The default Zeek broker port is 9999:

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=9999/tcp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Configure the monitoring interface for promiscuous mode operation. Zeek captures all packets on the interface, not just those destined for the server’s IP address:

sudo ip link set eth0 promisc on

Replace eth0 with your monitoring interface. Make promiscuous mode persistent across reboots by adding the command to startup scripts.

SELinux considerations affect Zeek’s ability to capture packets and write logs. Verify SELinux status:

sestatus

If SELinux operates in enforcing mode and causes issues, create appropriate policies or temporarily set permissive mode for troubleshooting:

sudo setenforce 0

For production environments, develop proper SELinux policies rather than disabling enforcement. Firewall and security configurations balance monitoring capabilities with system protection.

Step 10: Deploy and Start Zeek

ZeekControl, the management utility, simplifies deployment and operation. The deploy process validates configurations, generates policy files, and starts Zeek processes.

Launch the ZeekControl interactive shell:

sudo zeekctl

The ZeekControl prompt appears, indicating readiness for commands. For first-time deployment, install configurations:

[ZeekControl] > install

The install command validates node.cfg, networks.cfg, and policy scripts, reporting any errors. Address any configuration issues before proceeding. Deploy Zeek to start monitoring:

[ZeekControl] > deploy

Deploy combines installation and startup, making it suitable for initial deployment and subsequent configuration updates. Alternatively, use separate commands:

[ZeekControl] > start

Check operational status:

[ZeekControl] > status

The status output displays running Zeek instances with process IDs, start times, and operational state. All nodes should show “running” status. Exit the ZeekControl shell:

[ZeekControl] > exit

Enable automatic startup on system boot by configuring ZeekControl’s cron integration:

sudo crontab -e

Add the following entry to check and restart Zeek if necessary:

*/5 * * * * /opt/zeek/bin/zeekctl cron

This cron job runs every five minutes, monitoring Zeek’s health and restarting crashed processes automatically. Verify Zeek processes at the system level:

ps aux | grep zeek

Active Zeek processes appear with their resource usage and runtime information.

Step 11: Verify Zeek Installation and Operation

Confirming proper operation ensures Zeek monitors network traffic and generates logs correctly. Navigate to the current log directory:

cd /opt/zeek/logs/current/
ls -lh

Zeek creates numerous log files, each capturing specific aspects of network activity. Key logs include conn.log for connection summaries, dns.log for DNS queries, http.log for web traffic, and ssl.log for encrypted connections. The presence of these files with increasing sizes confirms active monitoring.

Examine recent connection logs using the zeek-cut utility:

zeek-cut -d ts id.orig_h id.orig_p id.resp_h id.resp_p proto < conn.log | head

This command extracts timestamp, source IP, source port, destination IP, destination port, and protocol from connection records. Real network activity should appear in the output.

View DNS queries captured by Zeek:

zeek-cut -d ts id.orig_h query < dns.log | head

DNS logs reveal which domains internal hosts query, useful for detecting malicious communications and data exfiltration attempts.

Generate test traffic to verify detection capabilities:

curl http://testmyids.com

Check the notice.log for alerts:

cat notice.log

Zeek should generate a notice indicating detection of the test signature. Monitor log files in real-time using tail:

tail -f conn.log

Real-time monitoring displays new connections as they occur, confirming active traffic analysis. Check for errors in Zeek’s operational logs:

cat /opt/zeek/logs/current/stderr.log
cat /opt/zeek/logs/current/stdout.log

Empty or minimal content indicates normal operation, while error messages require investigation.

Step 12: Basic Zeek Management Commands

Regular management maintains Zeek’s health and effectiveness. ZeekControl provides comprehensive management capabilities through simple commands.

Check cluster status regularly:

sudo zeekctl status

This displays each node’s operational state, process ID, and runtime. Monitor resource usage with the top command:

sudo zeekctl top

This shows CPU and memory consumption for each Zeek process, helping identify performance bottlenecks.

After configuration changes, validate syntax before deployment:

sudo zeekctl check

Check reports configuration errors without affecting running processes. Install updated configurations:

sudo zeekctl install

Apply changes by restarting Zeek gracefully:

sudo zeekctl restart

Restart stops current processes, applies new configurations, and starts fresh instances. Stop Zeek completely when needed:

sudo zeekctl stop

Manage log files to prevent disk exhaustion. ZeekControl automatically rotates logs, moving completed logs to dated directories. Clean old logs manually:

sudo zeekctl cleanup --all

This command archives or removes old logs based on retention policies. View diagnostic information for troubleshooting:

sudo zeekctl diag

Diagnostics include configuration summaries, process status, and error messages. Update Zeek scripts and packages when new versions release:

sudo dnf update zeek-lts -y
sudo zeekctl deploy

Regular updates ensure access to latest detection capabilities and bug fixes.

Step 13: Integrate Zeek with Log Analysis Tools (Optional)

Integrating Zeek with SIEM platforms amplifies its value by enabling correlation, visualization, and automated response. Popular integration targets include Elasticsearch, Splunk, Wazuh, and Grafana.

Elasticsearch and Kibana provide powerful open-source log analysis and visualization. Install Filebeat to ship Zeek logs:

sudo dnf install filebeat -y

Configure Filebeat to read Zeek logs and forward them to Elasticsearch:

sudo nano /etc/filebeat/filebeat.yml

Enable the Zeek module:

sudo filebeat modules enable zeek

Configure the module to point to Zeek’s log directory:

sudo nano /etc/filebeat/modules.d/zeek.yml

Set the log paths:

- module: zeek
  connection:
    enabled: true
    var.paths: ["/opt/zeek/logs/current/conn.log"]
  dns:
    enabled: true
    var.paths: ["/opt/zeek/logs/current/dns.log"]
  http:
    enabled: true
    var.paths: ["/opt/zeek/logs/current/http.log"]

Start Filebeat:

sudo systemctl start filebeat
sudo systemctl enable filebeat

Wazuh integration provides comprehensive security monitoring combining Zeek’s network visibility with endpoint detection. Splunk universal forwarders enable enterprise SIEM integration. Grafana dashboards visualize Zeek metrics for operational monitoring.

JSON output format facilitates parsing by log collectors. Zeek supports JSON logging through policy configuration:

sudo nano /opt/zeek/share/zeek/site/local.zeek

Add JSON logging directive:

@load policy/tuning/json-logs.zeek

Restart Zeek to apply changes. Integration transforms raw Zeek logs into actionable security intelligence.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Resolving issues quickly maintains monitoring effectiveness. Common problems have well-known solutions.

Zeek fails to start: Check log directories exist and have proper permissions. Verify configuration syntax with zeekctl check. Examine stderr.log for specific error messages. Ensure monitoring interfaces exist and have correct names in node.cfg.

Memory allocation errors: Workers crash with “cannot allocate memory” messages when insufficient RAM exists. Reduce worker count in node.cfg or increase system memory. Each worker requires approximately 6GB RAM for typical traffic.

No packets captured: Verify interface operates in promiscuous mode with ip link show. Check interface names match node.cfg specifications. Ensure no other packet capture tools monopolize the interface. Confirm physical network connectivity and traffic presence.

High CPU usage: Excessive CPU consumption indicates traffic volume exceeds capacity. Add more workers to distribute load. Disable unnecessary protocol analyzers in local.zeek. Consider hardware upgrades for high-bandwidth networks.

Logs not generating: Confirm disk space availability with df -h. Check log directory permissions allow Zeek to write files. Verify ZeekControl cron job runs and reports success. Examine stdout.log and stderr.log for write errors.

Configuration errors: Syntax mistakes prevent deployment. Use zeekctl check to identify and locate errors. Common mistakes include invalid CIDR notation in networks.cfg, incorrect interface names, and missing semicolons in policy scripts.

SELinux blocking operations: Check SELinux denials with ausearch -m avc -ts recent. Create appropriate policies or set permissive mode for testing. Production systems require proper SELinux policies rather than disabling enforcement.

Permission denied errors: Ensure Zeek user has necessary permissions on log directories, configuration files, and runtime directories. Running zeekctl with sudo resolves most permission issues.

Security Best Practices

Securing Zeek itself protects your monitoring infrastructure from compromise. Restrict access to the Zeek server using firewall rules and SSH key authentication. Implement principle of least privilege, running Zeek processes as dedicated non-root users when possible.

Protect configuration files from unauthorized modification. Set appropriate file permissions:

sudo chmod 640 /opt/zeek/etc/*.cfg
sudo chown root:zeek /opt/zeek/etc/*.cfg

Encrypt log data during transmission to centralized collectors using TLS. Store sensitive network logs securely with appropriate access controls. Implement log retention policies balancing forensic needs with storage costs.

Monitor Zeek’s own operations for signs of compromise. Establish baselines for normal resource usage and alert on deviations. Include Zeek servers in regular vulnerability scanning and patch management cycles.

Integrate Zeek alerts into incident response workflows. Define escalation procedures for critical alerts. Document Zeek’s role in security architecture and maintain runbooks for common scenarios.

Consider compliance requirements when deploying network monitoring. GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS impose constraints on data collection, retention, and access. Ensure Zeek configurations align with regulatory obligations.

Performance Optimization Tips

Optimizing Zeek maximizes monitoring coverage while maintaining system stability. Allocate workers based on traffic volume and available CPU cores. High-speed interfaces benefit from multiple workers distributing packet processing load.

Configure CPU affinity to bind workers to specific cores, reducing context switching overhead. Modern systems with NUMA architectures require careful CPU allocation to minimize memory access latency.

Tune memory allocation based on traffic patterns. Increase worker memory limits for high-connection-count environments. Monitor memory usage patterns and adjust proactively before exhaustion causes crashes.

Optimize disk I/O for log writing. Use fast storage for Zeek’s log directory. Consider separate filesystems for logs to prevent disk exhaustion affecting system operations. Enable log compression to reduce storage requirements:

redef Log::default_rotation_postprocessor_cmd = "gzip";

Selective protocol analysis reduces processing overhead. Disable unnecessary analyzers in local.zeek. Focus resources on protocols relevant to your security objectives.

Be cautious with hardware offloading features like TCP checksum offloading and segmentation offloading. These features can interfere with packet capture, causing Zeek to miss traffic or process packets incorrectly. Disable offloading on monitoring interfaces:

sudo ethtool -K eth0 gro off lro off

Cluster deployments scale horizontally by distributing load across multiple servers. Multi-server clusters handle enterprise-scale traffic volumes that exceed single-server capacity.

Regular performance benchmarking identifies degradation trends before they impact monitoring effectiveness. Establish performance baselines and monitor key metrics like packet loss, CPU utilization, and memory consumption.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Zeek. Thanks for using this tutorial to install the latest version of the Zeek network traffic analyzer on the Rocky Linux 10 system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Zeek website.