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Layer7 Dstat — Live Application-Layer Traffic

A Layer7 Dstat is a real-time graph of application traffic — the HTTP/HTTPS requests per second that actually reach a web server during a test. This guide explains what a Layer7 Dstat measures, how it differs from a Layer4 Dstat, and how to read one. All live targets monitored here are Layer7 Dstats.

What is a Layer7 Dstat?

A Layer7 Dstat measures traffic at the application layer (OSI Layer 7): the HTTP/HTTPS requests per second (RPS) that reach the web server. It reflects request-based attacks such as HTTP floods and cache-bypass methods, and shows whether protection layers like a WAF, JS challenge (UAM), managed challenge (CAPTCHA) or rate limit are actually filtering the requests.

Because Layer 7 is where real application logic runs, a Layer7 Dstat is the right lens for measuring how well defenses hold up — total volume alone says nothing; what matters is how many requests are allowed, bypass protection, or get blocked.

Layer7 Dstat vs Layer4 Dstat

A Layer7 Dstat is measured in requests per second and reflects application / CPU cost; a Layer4 Dstat is measured in bandwidth (Gbps) and packets per second (pps) and reflects raw network saturation. Layer 7 is defended at the edge with WAFs and challenges, while Layer 4 is mitigated upstream with scrubbing and capacity.

How to read a Layer7 Dstat

Watch the requests-per-second line for total Layer7 throughput, then the allowed / bypassed / blocked breakdown to judge effectiveness against a protected target. A high request rate with a high blocked share means the edge is filtering most traffic; a sustained allowed / bypassed share is what indicates a method genuinely penetrates the protection.

Related Live Dstat Examples (Layer 7)

Layer7 Dstat FAQ

What does a Layer7 Dstat measure?

Application-layer traffic: the HTTP/HTTPS requests per second (RPS) reaching the web server, plus how many are allowed, bypass protection or get blocked.

What is the difference between a Layer7 Dstat and a Layer4 Dstat?

A Layer7 Dstat tracks requests per second (application attacks); a Layer4 Dstat tracks bandwidth and packets (volumetric attacks). Layer 7 overwhelms the application, Layer 4 saturates the network.

Why does total request volume not tell the whole story?

Against a protected target, what matters is how many requests are allowed or bypass the protection versus blocked at the edge. A Layer7 Dstat shows that breakdown, which raw volume alone cannot.

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