Using NetFlow for Application Monitoring
Summary of information on this page:
Optimize Network Resources
nGenius Performance Manager for NetFlow provides the sophisticated visibility – based on NetFlow datagrams and Cisco IP SLA test results – into what applications are running on your network, how the applications are being used, who is using them, and how they impact total network performance, allowing IT staff to:
- Lower MTTR by being able to monitor not only every application, host and conversation side by side on the same screen or report, but also response time performance
- Optimize the network to prioritize business-critical applications over recreation use
- Improve application response times, manage bandwidth more effectively, or establish QoS policies
- Make better informed decisions about the applications that drive your business
The Need for Application Awareness
In order to optimize the network infrastructure to effectively meet business needs, network operators require detailed and comprehensive visibility into application performance across the entire network. SNMP and MIB II utilization data no longer provide enough performance information to effectively manage today’s complex enterprise networks. NetFlow is an excellent source of application conversation information that enterprises can use in a variety of ways, including:
- Capacity planning and intelligent traffic load balancing
- Network Troubleshooting
- Usage-based billing
- MPLS and VPN traffic analysis
The nGenius Performance Manager for NetFlow offers organizations a superior and cost-effective network performance management solution based on NetFlow datagrams and Cisco IP SLA test results.
Rich Application Recognition with nGenius Performance Manager for NetFlow
NetFlow supports most TCP and UDP-based applications, i.e. applications that are identified by their well-known TCP or UDP ports. However, unlike other NetFlow analysis tools, nGenius Performance Manager for NetFlow can also recognize complex applications that are transported on multiple ports, such as SAP or Exchange.
For example, the range of ports used by SAP can be configured and assigned to a single CDM Port number for monitoring and tracking purposes. The NetScout Solution can then aggregate related flow data so it is reflective of the actual impact on the network–such as showing a single utilization rate of 18% rather than 12 ports representing 1.5% each. Monitoring and reporting on complex applications in this aggregated manner provides an important system-wide view of all activity, including all talkers and conversations, leading to better informed decisions for capacity planning and troubleshooting.
Benefits of nGenius Performance Manager for NetFlow for Application Monitoring
The nGenius Performance Manager for NetFlow offers a significant value to organizations that use NetFlow as their network and application performance monitoring solution, including:
- Rich, application recognition applied to NetFlow-collected records by the CDM Port for complex applications, like SAP and Exchange, to uncover trends in the performance of these critical business applications and services.
- Drilldowns on NetFlow ports to view applications, talkers, and conversations in use for identifying who contributes to high port utilization and for highlighting misuse of network resources.
- Conversation details that are made available to other consumers of NetFlow records, for applications such as usage-based billing solutions.
|
| nGenius Performance Manager for NetFlow captures all applications running on your network, not just the Top N. |
|
Related Documents
Enabling Products
To find out more information about NetScout’s Sniffer and nGenius products click on the appropriate category links below:
Learn about NetFlow Monitoring for:
|
Email: 
