Configuring Sflow - HP 5500 EI Series Configuration Manual

Configuring sFlow

Both Layer 2 and Layer 3 Ethernet interfaces support the sFlow function. The term "interface" in this
chapter collectively refers to these two types of interfaces. You can use the port link-mode command to
configure an Ethernet port as a Layer 2 or Layer 3 interface (see Layer 2
Guide).
Sampled Flow (sFlow) is a traffic monitoring technology used to collect and analyze traffic statistics.
As shown in
sFlow collector. The sFlow agent collects interface counter information and packet information and
encapsulates the sampled information into sFlow packets. When the sFlow packet buffer is full, or the
aging timer (fixed to one second) of sFlow packets expires, the sFlow agent sends the sFlow packets in
UDP packets to a specified sFlow collector. The sFlow collector analyzes the information and displays the
results.
sFlow has the following two sampling mechanisms:
Flow sampling—Obtains packet information.
•
Counter sampling—Obtains interface counter information.
•
Figure 52 sFlow system
sFlow agent
Flow
sampling
Counter
sampling
Device
As a traffic monitoring technology, sFlow has the following advantages:
Supports traffic monitoring on Gigabit and higher-speed networks.
•
• Provides good scalability to allow one sFlow collector to monitor multiple sFlow agents.
Saves money by embedding the sFlow agent in a device, instead of using a dedicated sFlow agent
•
device.
NOTE:
The switch only supports the sFlow agent function .
Figure 52, the sFlow system involves an sFlow agent embedded in a device and a remote
Ethernet
header
IP UDP
sFlow Datagram
header header
157
LAN Switching Configuration
—
sFlow collector