Enterasys Networks 9034313-07 manual SFlow Configuration, Using sFlow in Your Network

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sFlow Configuration

This chapter provides information about the commands used to configure and monitor the sFlow system.

For information about...	Refer to page...
Overview	28-1
Commands	28-4

Overview

sFlow is a method for monitoring high‐speed switched and routed networks. sFlow technology is built into network equipment and gives visibility into network activity, enabling effective management and control of network resources.

An sFlow solution consists of an sFlow Agent, embedded in the network device such as a switch or router, and an sFlow Collector. The sFlow Agent uses sampling technology to capture traffic statistics from the device it is monitoring and immediately forwards the sampled traffic statistics to an sFlow Collector for analysis in sFlow datagrams.

The sFlow Agent uses two forms of sampling— statistical packet‐based sampling of switched or routed Packet Flows, and time‐based sampling of counters.

Version 5 of sFlow is described in detail in the document entitled “sFlow Version 5” available from sFlow.org (http://www.sflow.org).

Using sFlow in Your Network

The advantages of using sFlow include:

•sFlow makes it possible to monitor ports of a switch, with no impact on the distributed switching performance. (See “Usage Notes” on page 28‐3 for more information.)

•sFlow requires very little memory or CPU usage. Samples are not aggregated into a flow‐ table on the switch — they are forwarded immediately over the network to the sFlow Collector.

•The system is tolerant to packet loss in the network. (The statistical model means loss is equivalent to a slight change in the sampling rate.)

•The sFlow Collector can receive data from multiple switches, providing a real‐time synchronized view of the whole network.

•The sFlow Collector can analyze traffic patterns for whatever protocols are found in the packet headers (for example, TCP/IP, IPX, Ethernet, AppleTalk). There is no need for the layer 2 switch to decode and understand all protocols.

SecureStack C3 Configuration Guide 28-1