Cisco Systems OL-3230-02 User Manual

Objective

About This Guide

The Cisco CNS NetFlow Collection Engine Installation and User Guide describes the CNS NetFlow
Collection Engine application, which is used with the NetFlow services data export feature on Cisco
routers and Catalyst 5000 and 6000 series switches. This document also describes the system
requirements that must be met in order to install the CNS NetFlow Collection Engine product, as well
as, how to install, start, and configure CNS NetFlow Collection Engine.

NetFlow services consist of high-performance IP switching features that capture a rich set of traffic
statistics exported from routers and switches while they perform their switching function. CNS NetFlo w
Collection Engine provides fast, scalable, and economical data collection from multiple export devices
exporting NetFlow data records.

Prior to reading this manual, you should read the Release Notes for Cisco CNS NetFlow Collection
Engine Release 4.0 document. The Release Notes document provides info rmation about kno wn software
and documentation problems and any last minute info rmation about the CNS NetFlow Collectio n Engine
software not available when this guide was produced.

In previous releases, this product was referred to as Cisco NetFlow FlowCollector (NFC).

Who Should Use This Book

This guide is intended primarily for individuals with network and system administration skills. You
should have a basic understanding of network design, operation, and terminology, as well as familiarity
with your own network configurations. You also must have a basic familiarity with Web browsers,
Hewlett Packard’s HP-UX, Sun Microsystem’s Solaris Operating System, or Linux.

How This Book Is Organized

This manual is organized as follows:

Chapter 1, “Overview,” describes the CNS NetFlow Collection Engine application.
Chapter 2, “Installing and Configuring CNS NetFlow Collection Engine,” describes how to install CN A

NetFlow Collection Engine, configure it, and then validate that it is operating properly.

Chapter 3, “Using the CNS NetFlow Collection Engine User Interface,” describes how to use the CNS

NetFlow Collection Engine user interface (NFUI) to review application statistics and resource
definitions.

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Obtaining Documentation

About This Guide

Chapter 4, “Understanding the CNS NetFlow Collection Engine Data File Format,” describes how to

interpret the data collected and saved in CNS NetFlow Collection Engine data files.

Chapter 5, “Customizing the CNS NetFlow Collection Engine,” describes how to customize CNS

NetFlow Collection Engine operations.

Chapter 6, “Using Cafeteria-Style Aggregation Schemes,” describes using user-specified aggregation

schemes.

Appendix A, “Troubleshooting CNS NetFlow Collection Engine,” provides helpful information and

procedures in case you encounter problems while using CNS NetFlow Collection Engine.

Appendix B, “NetFlow Export D atagram F ormat s,” describes ho w NetFlow exports flow information in

UDP datagrams in one of four formats.

Appendix C, “CNS NetFlow Collecti on Engine Configurati on and Control Protocol,” describes the CNS

NetFlow Collection Engine configuration and control protocol.

Appendix D, “CNS NetFlow Collection Engine Binary Data File Format,” describes the format of the

CNS NetFlow Collection Engine binary data file.

Appendix E, “CNS NetFlow Collection Engine CNS/XML Interface,” describes the CNS NetFlow

Collection Engine CNS/Xtensible Markup Language (XML) interface.
An Index is also provided.

Obtaining Documentation

The following sections explain how to obtain documentation from Cisco Systems.

World Wide Web

You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com

Translated documentation is available at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/public/countries_languages.shtml

Documentation CD-ROM

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a Cisco Documentation CD-ROM
package, which is shipped with your product. The Documentation CD-R OM is updated monthly and may
be more current than printed documentation. The CD-ROM package is available as a single unit or
through an annual subscription.

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