246 Configuring System Information
• The collector can analyze traffic patterns for whatever protocols are found in the headers (e.g. TCP/IP,
IPX, Ethernet, AppleTalk…), which means there is no need for a layer 2 switch to decode and
understand all protocols.
sFlow Agent Summary
Packet Flow Sampling and Counter Sampling are performed by sFlow Instances associated with
individual data sources within the sFlow Agent. Packet Flow Sampling and Counter Sampling are
designed as part of an integrated system. Both types of samples are combined in sFlow datagrams. Packet
Flow Sampling will cause a steady, but random, stream of sFlow datagrams to be sent to the sFlow
Collector. Counter samples may be taken opportunistically in order to fill these datagrams.
In order to perform Packet Flow Sampling, an sFlow Sampler Instance is configured with a Sampling
Rate. The Packet Flow sampling process results in the generation of Packet Flow Records. In order to
perform Counter Sampling, the sFlow Poller Instance is configured with a Polling Interval, The Counter
Sampling process results in the generation of Counter Records. The sFlow Agent collects Counter
Records and Packet Flow Records and sends them in the form of sFlow datagrams to sFlow Collectors.
To access the sFlow Agent Summary page, click System > sFlow > Agent Summary in the navigation
tree.
Figure 6-120. sFlow Agent Summary