* Core shows a list of common commands, linking to the new Core Function Breakdown wiki article
* Core also now shows the ASCII Vortex
* Web has had its preview image size reduced
* FTL's functions are elaborated upon more
* [Viewing the live log file](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/wiki/Core-Function-Breakdown#tail)
* [Real-time Statistics via `ssh`](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/wiki/Core-Function-Breakdown#chronometer) or [your TFT LCD screen](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00ID39LM4/pihole09-20)
* [Updating Ad Lists](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/wiki/Core-Function-Breakdown#gravity)
* [Querying Ad Lists for matching domains](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/wiki/Core-Function-Breakdown#query)
* [Enabling and Disabling Pi-hole](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/wiki/Core-Function-Breakdown#enable--disable)
* ... and *many* more!
You can read our [Core Feature Breakdown](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/wiki/Core-Function-Breakdown), as well as read up on [example usage](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/the-pihole-command-with-examples/738) for more information.
### The Web Interface Dashboard
This optional [open source](https://github.com/almasaeed2010/AdminLTE) dashboard allows you to view stats, change settings, and configure your Pi-hole.
This [optional dashboard](https://github.com/pi-hole/AdminLTE) allows you to view stats, change settings, and configure your Pi-hole. It's the power of the Command Line Interface, with none of the learning curve!
There are several ways to [access the dashboard](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/how-do-i-access-pi-holes-dashboard-admin-interface/3168):
@ -127,132 +132,19 @@ There are several ways to [access the dashboard](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t
3. `http://pi.hole/` (when using Pi-hole as your DNS server)
## The Faster-Than-Light Engine
The [FTL API](https://github.com/pi-hole/FTL) can be accessed via the Web, Command Line and `telnet`.
The Web (`admin/api.php`) and Command Line (`pihole -c -j`) will return `json` formatted output:
```
{
"domains_being_blocked":111175,
"dns_queries_today":15669,
"ads_blocked_today":1752,
"ads_percentage_today":11.181314,
"unique_domains":1178,
"queries_forwarded":9177,
"queries_cached":4740,
"unique_clients":18
}
```
More details on the API can be found [here](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/pi-hole-api/1863) and `telnet` on [the repo itself](https://github.com/pi-hole/FTL).
### The Query Log
If enabled, the query log will show all of the DNS queries requested by clients using Pi-hole as their DNS server. Standard domains will show in green, and blocked (_Pi-holed_) domains will show in red. You can also whitelist or blacklist domains from within this section.
The query log and graphs are what have helped people [discover all sorts of unexpected traffic traversing their networks](https://pi-hole.net/2017/07/06/round-3-what-really-happens-on-your-network/).
#### Long-term Statistics
Using our FTL API, Pi-hole will store all the DNS queries in a database for later retrieval and analysis. You can view this data as a graph, individual queries, top clients/advertisers, or even query the database yourself for your own applications.
Domains can be [whitelisted](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/commonly-whitelisted-domains/212) or [blacklisted](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/commonly-blacklisted-domains/305) using either the dashboard, or via [the `pihole` command](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/the-pihole-command-with-examples/738).
Pi-hole's stock block lists cover over 100,000 known ad-serving domains, which helps ensure you encounter minimal false positives. You can expand the blocking power of your Pi-hole by [adding additional lists](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/how-do-i-add-additional-block-lists-to-pi-hole/259) such as the ones found at [The Big Blocklist Collection](https://wally3k.github.io/).
There are times where you may want to disable the blocking functionality, and turn it back on again. You can toggle this via the dashboard or command line.
This runs [`gravity`](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/blob/master/gravity.sh) which checks your source list for updates, and downloads if changes are found.
##### Query Ad Lists
You can find out what blocklist a specific domain was found on. This is useful for troubleshooting websites that may not work properly due to a blocked domain.
##### `tail`ing Log Files
You can [watch the log files](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/how-do-i-watch-and-interpret-the-pihole-log-file/276) in real time to help debug any issues, or just see what's happening on your network.
##### Pi-hole Debugger
If you are having trouble with your Pi-hole, this is the place to go. You can run the debugger and it will attempt to diagnose any issues, and then link to an FAQ with instructions on rectifying the problem.
If run [via the command line](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/the-pihole-command-with-examples/738#debug), you will see coloured text, which makes it easy to identify any problems.
After the debugger has finished, you have the option to upload it to our secure server for 48 hours. All you need to do is provide [one of our developers](https://github.com/orgs/pi-hole/teams/debug/members) the unique token generated by the debugger via [one of the various ways of getting in touch with us](#getting-in-touch-with-us).
Pi-hole ships with a [built-in DHCP server](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/how-do-i-use-pi-holes-built-in-dhcp-server-and-why-would-i-want-to/3026). This allows you to let your network devices use Pi-hole as their DNS server if your router does not let you adjust the DHCP options.
One nice feature of using Pi-hole's DHCP server if you can set hostnames and DHCP reservations so you'll [see hostnames in the query log instead of IP addresses](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/how-do-i-show-hostnames-instead-of-ip-addresses-in-the-dashboard/3530). You can still do this without using Pi-hole's DHCP server; it just takes a little more work. If you do plan to use Pi-hole's DHCP server, be sure to disable DHCP on your router first.
Using [chronometer2](https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole/blob/master/advanced/Scripts/chronometer.sh), you can view [real-time stats](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/how-do-i-view-my-pi-holes-stats-over-ssh-or-on-an-lcd-using-chronometer/240) via `ssh` or on an LCD screen such as the [2.8" LCD screen from Adafruit](http://amzn.to/1P0q1Fj).
Simply run `pihole -c` for some detailed information.
<sub><ahref="https://www.reddit.com/r/pihole/comments/6ldjna/pihole_setup_went_so_well_at_home_for_the_1st/">Image courtesy of /u/super_nicktendo22</a></sub>
</p>
The [FTL Engine](https://github.com/pi-hole/FTL) is a lightweight purpose-built daemon used to provide statistics needed for the Web Interface, and its API can be easily intergrated into your own projects. As the name implies, FTL does this all *very quickly*!
Some of the statistics you can intergrate include:
* Total number of domains being blocked
* Total number of DNS queries today
* Total number of ads blocked today
* Percentage of ads blocked
* Unique domains
* Queries forwarded (to your chosen upstream DNS server)
* Queries cached (served by Pi-hole)
* Unique Pi-hole clients
The API can be accessed via [`telnet`](https://github.com/pi-hole/FTL), the Web (`admin/api.php`) and Command Line (`pihole -c -j`). [More details are found here](https://discourse.pi-hole.net/t/pi-hole-api/1863).
WaLLy3K
7 years ago
committed by