Connlog

Connlog is a term used in computing to denote a logging system or data model for recording connection events in networks and computer systems. It can refer to a generic concept as well as to specific software projects that implement connection log collection, normalization, and analysis. The primary purpose is to provide a structured record of network and host connections to support security monitoring, troubleshooting, and compliance.

A Connlog entry typically includes a timestamp, source and destination identifiers (IP addresses or hostnames and ports), the network protocol, the action taken (allow, deny, drop), the outcome, duration, and bytes transferred. Additional fields may cover user identity, process or application, device location, and reason codes. The schema aims to be extensible to accommodate different sources such as firewalls, VPN gateways, load balancers, and endpoint agents.

In practice, Connlog serves several use cases: real-time connection monitoring and alerting, post-incident analysis, capacity planning, and regulatory reporting. It interoperates with existing tools such as SIEMs, log aggregators, and graph-based analytics platforms. Data can be stored in files, relational databases, or time-series stores, and can be queried by structured searches or correlation rules.

Implementation approaches range from lightweight agents that emit normalized events to centralized collectors that ingest, normalize, and forward logs. Privacy and security considerations include access control, encryption at rest and in transit, and minimization of sensitive fields. Connlog is thus a foundation for insight into network activity and security posture.