Web Management Guide-R07

Table Of Contents
Chapter 4
| Interface Configuration
Sampling Traffic Flows
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Sampling Traffic Flows
The flow sampling (sFlow) feature embedded on this switch, together with a
remote sFlow Collector, can provide network administrators with an accurate,
detailed and real-time overview of the types and levels of traffic present on their
network. The sFlow Agent samples 1 out of n packets from all data traversing the
switch, re-encapsulates the samples as sFlow datagrams and transmits them to the
sFlow Collector. This sampling occurs at the internal hardware level where all traffic
is seen, whereas traditional probes will only have a partial view of traffic as it is
sampled at the monitored interface. Moreover, the processor and memory load
imposed by the sFlow agent is minimal since local analysis does not take place. The
wire-speed transmission characteristic of the switch is thus preserved even at high
traffic levels.
Note:
The terms “collector, “receiver” and “owner”, in the context of this chapter, all
refer to a remote server capable of receiving the sFlow datagrams generated by the
sFlow agent of the switch.
As the Collector receives streams from the various sFlow agents (other switches or
routers) throughout the network, a timely, network-wide picture of utilization and
traffic flows is created. Analysis of the sFlow stream(s) can reveal trends and
information that can be leveraged in the following ways:
Detecting, diagnosing, and fixing network problems
Real-time congestion management
Understanding application mix (P2P, Web, DNS, etc.) and changes
Identification and tracing of unauthorized network activity
Usage accounting
Trending and capacity planning
Configuring sFlow
Receiver Settings
Use the Interface > sFlow (Configure Receiver – Add) page to create an sFlow
receiver on the switch.
Parameters
These parameters are displayed:
Receiver Owner Name
2
– The name of the receiver. (Range: 1-256 characters;
Default: None)
2. Sampling must be disabled by setting the time out to 0 before these fields can be
configured.