What does ntop use for data collection?

`ntop` (network top) is designed to monitor network usage by capturing and analyzing live network packets directly from a network interface. It functions like a network sniffer, providing real-time information about traffic patterns, protocols, and hosts.

While `ntop` may produce log files, it does not primarily collect network data by reading system or application log files.

Frame Relay is a wide area network (WAN) technology, not a data collection method that `ntop` directly uses for its input; `ntop` monitors traffic *over* interfaces, including those connected to WANs.

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is used for querying network device statistics, but `ntop`'s core functionality involves deep packet inspection, which is distinct from SNMP's summary data collection.