Monitoring Bandwidth via Flows

Using Flow protocols you can monitor the bandwidth usage of all packets going through a device.

NetFlow Monitoring

The NetFlow protocol is mainly used by Cisco devices. Once configured, the router sends for each data flow a NetFlow packet to the monitoring system running on a PRTG local probe. There the data can be filtered and evaluated. There are different NetFlow sensors available: The basic ones offer predefined channel definitions, the custom variants enable you to define your own channels.

The advantage of using NetFlow:

• Generates little CPU load on the router itself (according to Cisco 10,000 active flows create about 7% additional CPU load; 45,000 active flows account for about 20% additional CPU load).
• Generates less CPU load on the PRTG core system, compared to packet sniffer sensors.

Note: You must enable NetFlow export on the device you want to monitor. The device must send a flow data stream to the IP address of the PRTG core installation on which's local Probe Device the NetFlow sensor is set up. Use a separate UDP port for every device.

sFlow Monitoring

Set Up Flow Sensors

Find details on how to set up the different flow sensors in the following sections:

• NetFlow V5 Sensor
• NetFlow V5 (Custom) Sensor
• NetFlow V9 Sensor
• NetFlow V9 (Custom) Sensor
• sFlow Sensor
• sFlow (Custom) Sensor

 

More

Knowledge Base: Can I add custom channels to standard Packet Sniffer and NetFlow sensors?

• http://www.paessler.com/knowledgebase/en/topic/2143

 

Knowledge Base: What filter rules can be used for custom Packet Sniffing or xFlow (NetFlow/sFlow) sensors?

• http://www.paessler.com/knowledgebase/en/topic/483

 

Knowledge Base: How do the channel definitions for custom Packet Sniffing or xFlow (NetFlow/sFlow) sensors work?

• http://www.paessler.com/knowledgebase/en/topic/473

 

Knowledge Base: Does my Cisco device (Router/Switch) support NetFlow Export?

• http://www.paessler.com/knowledgebase/en/topic/5333

 

Knowledge Base: Do you have any configuration tips for Cisco routers and PRTG?

• http://www.paessler.com/knowledgebase/en/topic/563

 

Knowledge Base: Is it possible to monitor Cisco ASA Firewalls using Netflow 9 and PRTG?

• http://www.paessler.com/knowledgebase/en/topic/633

 

Knowledge Base: How to monitor Cisco ASA Firewalls using NetFlow 9 and PRTG?

• http://www.paessler.com/knowledgebase/en/topic/1423

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