Dell PowerEdge M420 Dell PowerConnect M8024-k User's Configuration Guide - Page 399

15 Monitoring Switch Traffic This chapter describes sFlow features, Remote Monitoring (RMON), and Port Mirroring features. The topics covered in this chapter include: • Traffic Monitoring Overview • Default Traffic Monitoring Values • Monitoring Switch Traffic (Web) • Monitoring Switch Traffic (CLI) • Traffic Monitoring Configuration Examples Traffic Monitoring Overview The switch maintains statistics about network traffic that it handles. It also has embedded technology that collects and sends information about traffic to other devices. PowerConnect M6220, M6348, M8024, and M8024-k switches include support for flow-based monitoring through sFlow and Remote Network Monitoring (RMON) agents. What is sFlow Technology? sFlow is an industry standard technology for monitoring high-speed switched and routed networks. PowerConnect M6220/M6348/M8024/M8024-k switch software has a built-in sFlow agent that can monitor network traffic on each port and generate sFlow data to an sFlow receiver (also known as a collector). sFlow helps to provide visibility into network activity, which enables effective management and control of network resources. sFlow is an alternative to the NetFlow network protocol, which was developed by Cisco Systems. The switch supports sFlow version 5. As illustrated in Figure 15-1, the sFlow monitoring system consists of sFlow Agents (such as PowerConnect M6220, M6348, M8024, and M8024-k switches) and a central sFlow receiver. sFlow Agents use sampling technology to capture traffic statistics from monitored devices. sFlow datagrams forward Monitoring Switch Traffic 399