Table Of Contents
Configuring Data Export for Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
Prerequisites for Configuring Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
Restrictions for Configuring Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
Information About Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
Benefits of Flexible NetFlow Flow Exporters
How to Configure Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
Configuring and Enabling Flexible NetFlow with Data Export
Verifying That Data Export Is Enabled for the Flow Monitor
Configuration Examples for Flexible NetFlow Data Export with Flow Exporters
Configuring Multiple Export Destinations: Example
Configuring Sending Export Packets Using QoS: Example
Configuring Version 5 Export: Example
Feature Information for Flexible NetFlow
Configuring Data Export for Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
First Published: June 19, 2006Last Updated: October 10, 2008This document contains information about and instructions for configuring flow exporters to export Flexible NetFlow data to remote systems such as a UNIX server running NetFlow collector.
NetFlow is a Cisco IOS technology that provides statistics on packets flowing through the router. NetFlow is the standard for acquiring IP operational data from IP networks. NetFlow provides network and security monitoring, network planning, traffic analysis, and IP accounting.
Flexible NetFlow improves on original NetFlow by adding the capability to customize the traffic analysis parameters for your specific requirements. Flexible NetFlow makes it easier to create more complex configurations for traffic analysis and data export through the use of reusable configuration components.
Finding Feature Information
Your software release may not support all the features documented in this module. For the latest feature information and caveats, see the release notes for your platform and software release. To find information about the features documented in this module, and to see a list of the releases in which each feature is supported, see the "Feature Information for Flexible NetFlow" section.
Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and Cisco IOS, Catalyst OS, and Cisco IOS XE software image support. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to http://www.cisco.com/go/cfn. An account on Cisco.com is not required.
Contents
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Prerequisites for Configuring Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
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Restrictions for Configuring Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
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Information About Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
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How to Configure Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
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Configuration Examples for Flexible NetFlow Data Export with Flow Exporters
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Feature Information for Flexible NetFlow
Prerequisites for Configuring Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
The following prerequisites must be met before you can configure Flexible NetFlow:
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You are familiar with the information in the "Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow Overview" module.
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The networking device must be running a Cisco IOS release that supports Flexible NetFlow. See the "Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow Features Roadmap" module for a list of Cisco IOS software releases that support Flexible NetFlow.
IPv4 Traffic
•
The networking device must be configured for IPv4 routing.
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One of the following must be enabled on your router and on any interfaces on which you want to enable Flexible NetFlow: Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF) or distributed CEF (dCEF).
IPv6 Traffic
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The networking device must be configured for IPv6 routing.
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One of the following must be enabled on your router and on any interfaces on which you want to enable Flexible NetFlow: Cisco Express Forwarding IPv6 (CEF IPv6) or distributed CEF IPv6 (dCEF IPv6).
Restrictions for Configuring Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
The following restriction applies to configuring data export for Flexible NetFlow with flow exporters:
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The NetFlow Version 5 export protocol that was first shipped in Cisco IOS Release 12.4(22)T is supported only for flow monitors that use the Flexible NetFlow predefined records.
Information About Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
Before you configure a flow exporter, you need to understand the following:
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Benefits of Flexible NetFlow Flow Exporters
Flow Exporters
Flow exporters are created as separate components in a router's configuration. Exporters are assigned to flow monitors to export the data from the flow monitor cache to a remote system such as a NetFlow collector. Flow monitors can support more than one exporter. Each exporter can be customized to meet the requirements of the flow monitor or monitors in which it is used and the NetFlow collector systems to which it is exporting data.
Benefits of Flexible NetFlow Flow Exporters
Flexible NetFlow allows you to configure many different flow exporters, depending on your requirements. Some of the benefits of Flexible NetFlow flow exporters are as follows:
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Using flow exporters, you can create an exporter for every type of traffic that you want to analyze so that you can send each type of traffic to a different NetFlow collector. Original NetFlow sends the data in a cache for all of the analyzed traffic to a maximum of two export destinations.
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Flow exporters support up to 10 exporters per flow monitor. Original NetFlow is limited to only two export destinations per cache.
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In Cisco IOS Release 12.4(20)T and newer releases, flow exporters can use class of service (CoS) in the packets that are sent to export destinations to help ensure that the packets are given the correct priority throughout the network. Original Netflow exporters do not use CoS in the packets that are sent to export destinations.
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In Cisco IOS Release 12.4(20)T and newer releases flow exporter, traffic can be encrypted.
How to Configure Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
The tasks in this section explain how to export the data that is collected by Flexible NetFlow to a remote system for further analysis and storage.
Flow Exporters
Flow exporters are used to send the data that you collect with Flexible NetFlow to a remote system such as a NetFlow collector. Flow exporters use UDP as the transport protocol.
Restrictions
Each flow exporter supports only one destination. If you want to export the data to multiple destinations, you must configure multiple flow exporters and assign them to the flow monitor. Flow exporters are added to flow monitors to enable data export from the flow monitor cache.
Note
Only the keywords and arguments required for the Flexible NetFlow commands used in these tasks are explained in these tasks. For information about the other keywords and arguments available for these Flexible NetFlow commands, refer to the Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow Command Reference.
To configure data export for Flexible NetFlow, perform the tasks in this section:
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Configuring the Flow Exporter
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Verifying the Flow Exporter (optional)
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Configuring and Enabling Flexible NetFlow with Data Export
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Verifying That Data Export Is Enabled for the Flow Monitor (optional)
Configuring the Flow Exporter
To configure the flow exporter, perform the following required task.
SUMMARY STEPS
1.
enable
2.
configure terminal
3.
flow exporter exporter-name
4.
description string
5.
destination {ip-address | hostname} [vrf vrf-name]
6.
export-protocol {netflow-v5 | netflow-v9}
7.
dscp dscp
8.
source type number
9.
option {{exporter-stats | interface-table | sampler-table} [timeout seconds]}
10.
output-features
11.
template data timeout seconds
12.
transport udp udp-port
13.
ttl ttl
14.
end
DETAILED STEPS
Verifying the Flow Exporter
To view the current status of a flow exporter and verify the configuration commands that you entered, perform the following optional task.
SUMMARY STEPS
1.
enable
2.
show flow exporter
3.
show running-config flow exporter
DETAILED STEPS
Step 1
enable
The enable command enters privileged EXEC mode (enter the password if prompted).
Router> enableRouter#Step 2
show flow exporter
The show flow exporter command shows the current status of the flow exporter that you specify.
Router# show flow exporter EXPORTER-1Flow Exporter EXPORTER-1:Description: Exports to the Chicago datacenterTransport Configuration:Destination IP address: 172.16.10.2Source IP address: 172.16.6.2Source Interface: Ethernet0/0Transport Protocol: UDPDestination Port: 650Source Port: 55864DSCP: 0x3FTTL: 15Output Features: UsedOptions Configuration:exporter-stats (timeout 120 seconds)interface-table (timeout 120 seconds)sampler-table (timeout 120 seconds)Step 3
show running-config flow exporter
The show running-config flow exporter command shows the configuration commands of the flow exporter that you specify.
Router# show running-config flow exporter EXPORTER-1Building configuration...Current configuration:!flow exporter EXPORTER-1description Exports to the Chicago datacenterdestination 172.16.10.2source Ethernet0/0output-featuresdscp 63ttl 15transport udp 650template data timeout 120option exporter-stats timeout 120option interface-table timeout 120option sampler-table timeout 120!end
Configuring and Enabling Flexible NetFlow with Data Export
You must create a flow monitor to configure the types of traffic for which you want to export the cache data. You must enable the flow monitor by applying it to at least one interface to start exporting data. To configure and enable Flexible NetFlow with data export, perform this required task.
Flow Monitors
Each flow monitor has a separate cache assigned to it. Each flow monitor requires a record to define the contents and layout of its cache entries. The record format can be one of the predefined record formats, or an advanced user may create his or her own record format using the collect and match commands in flow record configuration mode.
Restrictions
You must remove a flow monitor from all of the interfaces to which you have applied it before you can modify the record format of the flow monitor.
When you specify the "NetFlow original" or the "NetFlow IPv4 original input" or the "NetFlow IPv6 original input" predefined record for the flow monitor to emulate original NetFlow, the flow monitor can be used only for analyzing input (ingress) traffic.
When you specify the "NetFlow IPv4 original output" or the "NetFlow IPv6 original output" predefined record for the flow monitor to emulate the Egress NetFlow Accounting feature, the flow monitor can be used only for analyzing output (egress) traffic.
SUMMARY STEPS
1.
enable
2.
configure terminal
3.
flow monitor monitor-name
4.
record {record-name | netflow-original | netflow {ipv4 | ipv6} record [peer]}
5.
exporter exporter-name
6.
exit
7.
interface type number
8.
{ip | ipv6} flow monitor monitor-name {input | output}
9.
end
DETAILED STEPS
Verifying That Data Export Is Enabled for the Flow Monitor
To verify that data export is enabled for the flow monitor cache, perform the following optional task.
Prerequisites
Before you can view the flows in the flow monitor cache, the interface to which you applied the input flow monitor must be receiving traffic that meets the criteria defined by the NetFlow original record.
SUMMARY STEPS
1.
enable
2.
show flow monitor name monitor-name
DETAILED STEPS
Step 1
enable
The enable command enters privileged EXEC mode (enter the password if prompted).
Router> enableRouter#Step 2
show flow monitor name monitor-name
Displays the status and statistics for a flow monitor.
Router# show flow monitor name FLOW-MONITOR-1Flow Monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1:Description: User definedFlow Record: netflow original-inputFlow Exporter: EXPORTER-1Cache:Type: normalStatus: allocatedSize: 4096 entries / 311316 bytesInactive Timeout: 15 secsActive Timeout: 1800 secsUpdate Timeout: 1800 secs
Configuration Examples for Flexible NetFlow Data Export with Flow Exporters
The following example shows you how to configure data export for Flexible NetFlow:
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Configuring Multiple Export Destinations: Example
•
Configuring Sending Export Packets Using QoS: Example
•
Configuring Version 5 Export: Example
Configuring Multiple Export Destinations: Example
The following example shows how to configure multiple export destinations for Flexible NetFlow for IPv4 and IPv6 traffic.
This sample starts in global configuration mode:
!flow exporter EXPORTER-1destination 172.16.10.2transport udp 90exit!flow exporter EXPORTER-2destination 172.16.10.3transport udp 90exit!flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1record netflow ipv4 original-inputexporter EXPORTER-2exporter EXPORTER-1!!flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-2record netflow ipv6 original-inputexporter EXPORTER-2exporter EXPORTER-1!ip cef!interface Ethernet0/0ip address 172.16.6.2 255.255.255.0ipv6 address 2001:DB8:2:ABCD::2/48ip flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1 inputipv6 flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-2 input!The following display output shows that the flow monitor is exporting data to the two exporters:
Router# show flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1Flow Monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1:Description: User definedFlow Record: netflow original-inputFlow Exporter: EXPORTER-1EXPORTER-2Cache:Type: normalStatus: allocatedSize: 4096 entries / 311316 bytesInactive Timeout: 15 secsActive Timeout: 1800 secsUpdate Timeout: 1800 secsConfiguring Sending Export Packets Using QoS: Example
The following example shows how to configure sending Flexible NetFlow export packets using quality of service (QoS).
Note
The Flexible NetFlow export packets to the destination host (IP address 10.0.1.2) are transmitted on Ethernet 0/1 using QoS.
This sample starts in global configuration mode:
!flow record FLOW-RECORD-1match ipv4 source addresscollect counter packets!flow exporter FLOW-EXPORTER-1destination 10.0.1.2output-featuresdscp 18!flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1record FLOW-RECORD-1exporter FLOW-EXPORTER-1cache entries 1024!ip cef!class-map match-any COS3!policy-map PH_LABS_FRL_64k_16k_16k_8k_8kclass COS3bandwidth percent 2random-detect dscp-basedrandom-detect exponential-weighting-constant 1random-detect dscp 18 200 300 10!interface Ethernet0/0ip address 10.0.0.1 255.255.255.0ip flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1 input!interface Ethernet0/1ip address 10.0.1.1 255.255.255.0service-policy output PH_LABS_FRL_64k_16k_16k_8k_8k!The following display output shows that the flow monitor is exporting data using output feature support that enables the exported data to use QoS:
Router# show flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1Flow Exporter FLOW-EXPORTER-1:Description: User definedTranport Configuration:Destination IP address: 10.0.1.2Source IP address: 10.0.0.1Transport Protocol: UDPDestination Port: 9995Source Port: 56750DSCP: 0x12TTL: 255Output Features: UsedConfiguring Version 5 Export: Example
The following example shows how to configure version 5 export for Flexible NetFlow.
This sample starts in global configuration mode:
!flow exporter EXPORTER-1destination 172.16.10.2export-protocol netflow-v5transport udp 90exit!flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1record netflow ipv4 original-inputexporter EXPORTER-1!ip cef!interface Ethernet0/0ip address 172.16.6.2 255.255.255.0ip flow monitor FLOW-MONITOR-1 input!The following display output shows that the flow monitor is exporting data to the two exporters:
Router# #show flow exporter FLOW-EXPORTER-6Flow Exporter FLOW-EXPORTER-6:Description: User definedExport protocol: NetFlow Version 5Transport Configuration:Destination IP address: 172.31.90.23Source IP address: 10.1.1.2Transport Protocol: UDPDestination Port: 90Source Port: 55950DSCP: 0x0TTL: 255Output Features: Not UsedWhere to Go Next
For information on advanced Flexible NetFlow configurations for specific purposes such as quality of service (QoS) and bandwidth monitoring, application and user flow monitoring and profiling, and security analysis, refer to the "Customizing Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow Flow Records and Flow Monitors" module.
If you want to configure flow sampling to reduce the CPU overhead of analyzing traffic, refer to the "Using Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow Flow Sampling to Reduce the CPU Overhead of Analyzing Traffic" module.
If you want to configure any of the predefined records for Flexible NetFlow refer, to the "Configuring Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow with Predefined Records" module.
Additional References
The following sections provide references related to Flexible NetFlow.
Related Documents
Related Topic Document TitleOverview of Flexible NetFlow
Flexible NetFlow Feature Roadmap
Emulating original NetFlow with Flexible NetFlow
"Getting Started with Configuring Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow"
Customizing Flexible NetFlow
"Customizing Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow Flow Records and Flow Monitors"
Configuring flow sampling to reduce the overhead of monitoring traffic with Flexible NetFlow
"Using Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow Flow Sampling to Reduce the CPU Overhead of Analyzing Traffic"
Configuring Flexible NetFlow using predefined records
"Configuring Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow with Predefined Records"
Using Flexible Netflow Top N Talkers to Analyze Network Traffic
"Using Cisco IOS Flexible Netflow Top N Talkers to Analyze Network Traffic"
Configuring IPv4 Multicast Statistics Support for Flexible NetFlow
"Configuring IPv4 Multicast Statistics Support for Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow"
Configuration commands for Flexible NetFlow
Standards
MIBs
MIB MIBs LinkNone.
To locate and download MIBs for selected platforms, Cisco IOS releases, and feature sets, use Cisco MIB Locator found at the following URL:
RFCs
Technical Assistance
Feature Information for Flexible NetFlow
Table 1 lists the features in this module and provides links to specific configuration information. Only features that were introduced or modified in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(1) or Cisco IOS Releases 12.2(1) or 12.0(3)S or a later release appear in the table.
For information on a feature in this technology that is not documented here, see the "Cisco IOS Flexible NetFlow Features Roadmap".
Not all commands may be available in your Cisco IOS software release. For release information about a specific command, see the command reference documentation.
Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and software image support. Cisco Feature Navigator enables you to determine which Cisco IOS, Catalyst OS, and Cisco IOS XE software images support a specific software release, feature set, or platform. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to http://www.cisco.com/go/cfn. An account on Cisco.com is not required.
Note
Table 1 lists only the Cisco IOS software release that introduced support for a given feature in a given Cisco IOS software release train. Unless noted otherwise, subsequent releases of that Cisco IOS software release train also support that feature.
Table 1 Feature Information for Flexible NetFlow
Feature Name Releases Feature Configuration InformationFlexible NetFlow
12.4(9)T
Flexible NetFlow is introduced.
Information about the Flexible NetFlow feature is included in the following sections:
•
Prerequisites for Configuring Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
•
Information About Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
•
How to Configure Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
•
Configuration Examples for Flexible NetFlow Data Export with Flow Exporters
The following commands were introduced or modified: cache (Flexible NetFlow), clear flow exporter, clear flow monitor, clear sampler, collect counter, collect flow, collect interface, collect ipv4, collect ipv4 destination, collect ipv4 fragmentation, collect ipv4 section, collect ipv4 source, collect ipv4 total-length, collect ipv4 ttl, collect routing, collect timestamp sys-uptime, collect transport, collect transport icmp ipv4, collect transport tcp, collect transport udp, debug flow exporter, debug flow monitor, debug flow record, debug sampler, description (Flexible NetFlow), destination, dscp (Flexible NetFlow), exporter, flow exporter, flow monitor, flow record, ip flow monitor, match flow, match interface (Flexible NetFlow), match ipv4, match ipv4 destination, match ipv4 fragmentation, match ipv4 section, match ipv4 source, match ipv4 total-length, match ipv4 ttl, match routing, match transport, match transport icmp ipv4, match transport tcp, match transport udp, mode (Flexible NetFlow), option (Flexible NetFlow), record, sampler, show flow exporter, show flow interface, show flow monitor, show flow record, show sampler, source (Flexible NetFlow), statistics packet, template data timeout, transport (Flexible NetFlow).
Flexible NetFlow - IPv6 Unicast Flows
12.4(20)T
Enables Flexible NetFlow to monitor IPv6 traffic.
Information about the Flexible NetFlow - IPv6 Unicast Flows feature is included in the following sections:
•
Configuring and Enabling Flexible NetFlow with Data Export
•
Configuring Multiple Export Destinations: Example
The following commands were introduced or modified: collect routing, debug flow record, match routing, record, show flow monitor, show flow record, collect ipv6, collect ipv6 destination, collect ipv6 extension map, collect ipv6 fragmentation, collect ipv6 hop-limit, collect ipv6 length, collect ipv6 section, collect ipv6 source, collect transport icmp ipv6, ipv6 flow monitor, match ipv6, match ipv6 destination, match ipv6 extension map, match ipv6 fragmentation, match ipv6 hop-limit, match ipv6 length, match ipv6 section, match ipv6 source, match transport icmp ipv6.
Flexible NetFlow - Output Features on Data Export
12.4(20)T
Enables sending export packets using quality of service (QoS) and encryption.
Information about the Flexible NetFlow - Output Features on Data Export feature is included in the following sections:
•
Configuring the Flow Exporter
•
Configuring Sending Export Packets Using QoS: Example
The following command was introduced: output-features.
Flexible Netflow - NetflowV5 export protocol
12.4(22)T
Enables sending export packets using the Version 5 export protocol.
Information about the Flexible NetFlow - NetflowV5 export protocol feature is included in the following sections:
•
Restrictions for Configuring Data Export for Flexible NetFlow with Flow Exporters
•
Configuring the Flow Exporter
•
Configuring Version 5 Export: Example
The following command was introduced: export-protocol.
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