Testing Snort functionality, or, how do I know if Snort really works?

[Ricky Huang <rhuang.work () gmail com>]

Hello all,

Following the abundant info/instructions on snort.org, I have set up Snort on my server with basic configurations, 
loaded the latest (registered user) Sourcefire-VRT rules, and it is currently running according to the "status" 
argument.

Now for the very n00b question, how do I know Snort actually works?

I meant is there a test intrusion suite that will run again a snort-protected server for validation?  How does one test 
to see if a rule established by Sourcefire is in fact, in effect?  It would not make sense for me to sit around waiting 
for attacks, right?


I apologize if this seem like a noob question, but it is my first experience setting up IDS/IPS.


Thanks in advance.

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