Manual
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Chapter 57 sFlow Configuration 
57.1 Introduction to sFlow 
The sFlow (RFC 3176) is a protocol based on standard network export and used on monitoring 
the  network  traffic  information  developed  by  the  InMon  Company.  The  monitored  switch  or 
router  sends  date  to  the  client  analyzer  through  its  main  operations  such  as  sampling  and 
statistic, then the analyzer will analyze according to the user requirements so to monitor the 
network. 
A sFlow monitor system includes: sFlow proxy, central data collector and sFlow analyzer. The 
sFlow proxy collects data from the switch using sampling technology. The sFlow collector is for 
formatting the sample data statistic which is to be forwarded to the sFlow analyzer which will 
analyze  the  sample  data  and  perform  corresponding  measure  according  to  the  result.  Our 
switch here acts as the proxy and central data collector in the sFlow system. 
We have achieved data sampling and statistic targeting physical port. 
Our  data  sample  includes  the  IPv4  and IPv6  packets.  Extensions  of other  types  are  not 
supported so far. As for non IPv4 and IPv6 packet, the unify HEADER mode will be adopted 
following the requirements in RFC3176, copying the head information of the packet based on 
analyzing the type of its protocol. 
The latest sFlow protocol presented by InMon Company is the version 5. Since it is the version 
4  which  is  realized  in  the  RFC3176,  version  conflict  might  exist  in  some  case  such  as  the 
structure  and  the  packet format.  This is  because  the  version  5  has not  become  the official 
protocol, so, in order to be compatible with current applications, we will continue to follow the 
RFC3176. 
57.2 sFlow Configuration Task List 
1.  Configure sFlow Collector address 
Command 
Explanation 
Global mode and Port Mode 
sflow destination <collector-address> 
[<collector-port>] 
no sflow destination 
Configure the IP address and port number of 
the host in which the sFlow analysis software 
is  installed.  As for  the  ports,  if IP address  is 
configured on the port, the port configuration 
will  be  applied,  or  else  will  be  applied  the 
global  configuration.  The  “no  sflow 
destination”  command  restores  to  the  default 










