Contents

Overview

up.time NetFlow is a NetFlow analyzer that takes advantage of communications standards for Cisco IOS networking devices (as well as other compatible switches and routers) to retrieve and store network traffic information for users, systems, and applications. It allows administrators to monitor, graph, and report on network usage patterns, and locate the heaviest traffic creators.

To help you establish up.time as the core component for tracking the performance and reliability of your network, you can integrate an up.time NetFlow instance with up.time. Once integrated, you can perform the following tasks in up.time:

• Add network devices that are exporting NetFlow data to up.time NetFlow.
• Generate up.time NetFlow graphs from NetFlow-exporting elements. You can use the network device's Graphing page in up.time to directly call an up.time NetFlow instance. A graph that covers a specified time frame is generated, showing the monitored element's bi-directional throughput rates through known ports, which are determined based on use by all known applications.
• Generate up.time NetFlow graphs from other Elements. Similar to network devices, you can use other Elements' Graphing pages to generate graphs in up.time NetFlow. These graphs will show network traffic from the host, allowing you to pinpoint heavy users. From here, you will be able to select and graph other network traffic data for the host.
• Use an embedded up.time NetFlow interface in up.time's Global Scan panel. You can access all of up.time NetFlow's features, such as the MyView status panel, from the NetFlow tab. This, in addition to custom dashboards, allows you to use Global Scan as a central reporting area for various infrastructure views, based on performance metrics from up.time and other tools.

Integrating an up.time NetFlow Instance with up.time

To access up.time NetFlow data directly from up.time, the up.time NetFlow instance must first be configured:

1. Access the Config tab in the Monitoring Station web interface.
2. Click up.time Configuration to display the configuration panel.
3. Add the following entries to the text box:
   • netflow.enabled=true
   • netflow.hostname=[NetFlowHost]
     The host name or IP address of your up.time NetFlow installation.
   • netflow.port=[NetFlowPort]
     The HTTP port through which up.time NetFlow sends and receives communication.
   • netflow.username=[NetFlowAdmin]
     The user name required to log in to up.time NetFlow.
   • netflow.password=[NetFlowPassword]
     The password required to log in to up.time NetFlow.
4. Click Update.

Configuring Elements to Retrieve NetFlow Data

When up.time has been configured with your up.time NetFlow host and login information, you must then add all network devices that are exporting NetFlow data to up.time NetFlow.

Whenever a new network device Element is added to up.time, in the Add System pop-up configuration window, the Network Device option is selected from the Type of System/Device list. When this is selected, one option that dynamically appears is the Exports Data to up.time NetFlow? check box. Select this during configuration.