Configuring Netstream; Netstream Basic Concepts; What Is A Flow; How Netstream Works - HP 5820X Switch Configuration Manual

Configuring NetStream

The HP 5820X switch series do not support NetStream.
Legacy traffic statistics collection methods, like SNMP and port mirroring, cannot provide precise network
management because of inflexible statistical methods or high cost (dedicated servers are required). This
calls for a new technology to collect traffic statistics.
NetStream provides statistics on network traffic flows and can be deployed on access, distribution, and
core layers.
The NetStream technology implements the following features:
• Accounting and billing—NetStream provides fine-gained data about the network usage based on
the resources such as lines, bandwidth, and time periods. The ISP can use the data for billing based
on time period, bandwidth usage, application usage, and QoS. The enterprise customers can use
this information for department chargeback or cost allocation.
• Network planning—NetStream data provides key information, for example the AS traffic information,
for optimizing the network design and planning. This helps maximize the network performance and
reliability when minimizing the network operation cost.
Network monitoring—Configured on the Internet interface, NetStream allows for traffic and
•
bandwidth utilization monitoring in real time. Based on this, administrators can understand how the
network is used and where the bottleneck is, better planning the resource allocation.
• User monitoring and analysis—The NetStream data provides detailed information about network
applications and resources. This information helps network administrators efficiently plan and
allocate network resources, and ensure network security.

NetStream basic concepts

What is a flow

NetStream is an accounting technology to provide statistics on a per-flow basis. An IPv4 flow is defined
by the 7-tuple elements: destination address, source IP address, destination port number, source port
number, protocol number, ToS, and inbound or outbound interface. The 7-tuple elements define a unique
flow.

How NetStream works

A typical NetStream system comprises three parts: NDE, NSC, and NDA.
NDE
•
The NDE analyzes traffic flows that pass through it, collects necessary data from the target flows, and
exports the data to the NSC. Before exporting data, the NDE may process the data like aggregation. A
device with NetStream configured acts as an NDE.
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