Table Of Contents
Obtaining Documentation, Obtaining Support, and Security Guidelines
About This Guide
Objective
The Cisco NetFlow Collector Installation and Configuration Guide describes the Cisco NetFlow Collector application, which is used with the NetFlow services data export feature on Cisco routers and Catalyst switches. This document also describes the system requirements that must be met to install the Cisco NetFlow Collector product, as well as, how to install, start, and configure Cisco NetFlow Collector.
NetFlow services consist of high-performance IP switching features that capture a rich set of traffic statistics exported from routers and switches while they perform their switching function. Cisco NetFlow Collector provides fast, scalable, and economical data collection from multiple export devices exporting NetFlow data records.
Cisco NetFlow Collector, Release 6.0 introduces a tiered netflow collection architecture that provides increased scalability and performance. The role of the first tier (Tier 1) maps to the NFC functionality of Cisco NetFlow Collector 5.0.3 with the addition of new features described in Release Notes for Cisco NetFlow Collector, Release 6.0.
Cisco NetFlow Collector, Release 6.0 supports new Cisco NetFlow Collector Tier 2 functionality, also referred to as Multi NetFlow Collector. The Multi NetFlow Collector runs on separate server hardware and provides an aggregation layer that correlates data from several Tier 1 instances.
Prior to reading this manual, you should read the Release Notes for Cisco NetFlow Collector, Release 6.0 document. These release notes provide information about known software and documentation problems and any last minute information about the NetFlow Collector software not available when this guide was produced.
In previous releases, this product was referred to as Cisco NetFlow Collection Engine (NFC).
Audience
This guide is intended primarily for individuals with network and system administration skills. You should have a basic understanding of network design, operation, and terminology, as well as familiarity with your own network configurations. You also must have a basic familiarity with Web browsers, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or Sun Microsystem's Solaris Operating System.
How This Guide Is Organized
This guide is organized as follows:
Chapter 1, "Overview," describes the Cisco NetFlow Collector application.
Chapter 2, "Installing the Cisco NetFlow Collector," describes how to install the Cisco NetFlow Collector application.
Chapter 3, "Configuring the Cisco NetFlow Collector," describes how to configure Cisco NetFlow Collector and then validate that it s operating properly.
Appendix A, "Troubleshooting the Cisco NetFlow Collector,"contains troubleshooting information in case you encounter problems while using the Cisco NetFlow Collector.
An Index is also provided.
Command Syntax Conventions
Table 1 describes the syntax used with the commands in this document.
Obtaining Documentation, Obtaining Support, and Security Guidelines
For information on obtaining documentation, obtaining support, providing documentation feedback, security guidelines, and also recommended aliases and general Cisco documents, see the monthly What's New in Cisco Product Documentation, which also lists all new and revised Cisco technical documentation, at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/general/whatsnew/whatsnew.html