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Monitoring the System
479
ProSafe M5300 Switch
sFlow
sFlow
®
is a standard for monitoring high-speed switched and routed networks. sFlow
technology is built into network equipment and gives complete visibility into network activity,
enabling effective management and control of network resources.
The sFlow monitoring system consists of an sFlow Agent (embedded in a switch or router or
in a standalone probe) and a central sFlow Collector. The sFlow Agent uses sampling
technology to capture traffic statistics from the device it is monitoring. sFlow datagrams are
used to immediately forward the sampled traffic statistics to an sFlow Collector for analysis.
The sFlow Agent uses two forms of sampling: statistical packet-based sampling of switched
or routed Packet Flows, and time-based sampling of counters.
From the sFlow link under the Monitoring tab, you can access the following pages:
• Basic on page 479
• Advanced on page 480
Basic
From the Basic link, you can access the following pages:
• sFlow Agent on page 479
sFlow Agent
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.