Using Flow Monitor

[Robert Milner]

Hello everyone,

I need some help/advice on trying to the Flow Monitor function that is available. Basically I want to monitor the WAE's using Netflow, and I thought that by enabling Flow Monitor along with the host IP that I could monitor the traffic going through the device.

I have tried two separate flow control monitoring apps:

1. Solarwinds Real-time Netflow Analyzer (free)
   
2. WhatsUp Gold Flow Monitor
   

Neither application seems to be able to receive the Netflow data from the WAE device. Is there a different application required that will help me analyse the data?

This is the error I get within SolarWinds. I have setup the SNMP credentials as they are set on the device, and it is listening on port 2055.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

[Don Jacob · Accepted solution]

Hi Robert,

Cisco WAAS Flow Monitoring is different from traditional or flexible NetFlow available on Cisco devices and so NetFlow analysis tools like ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer, Solarwinds, Plixer, etc will not detect them.

From what I have heard, these flows can be processed only by NetQoS and you will need NetQoS SuperAgent for this. The NetQoS SuperAgent processes the flows received from WAAS FlowAgent (which again was developed by NetQoS) sitting on the WAE. More details in the below link:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/nsite/enterprise/wan/wan_optimization/chap04.html#wp1053045

But there are API's available for WAAS monitoring using which any analyzed tools can report on the performance of your WAAS optimization. ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer supports WAAS reporting using API. More information in the below link:

http://www.manageengine.com/products/netflow/help/add-ons/waas/about-waas.html

For the type of reports available, check the below link:

https://blogs.manageengine.com/netflowanalyzer/2011/07/11/cisco-waas-reporting-in-netflow-analyzer-part-2

Regards,

Don Thomas Jacob

ME NetFlow Analyzer

[Robert Milner]

Thanks for clearing that up Don - I am now thinking that it might just be easier to enable Netflow on my Cisco routers instead as getting the data off them should be a lot easier than the WAAS devices.

Thanks again for your help.

[Michael Korenbaum]

Robert,

You can also export flow monitor data to Cisco NAM.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/net_mgmt/network_analysis_module_virtual_blade/5.1/install/guide/waas/namwaas.html

This document talks about running NAM as a virtual blade on a WAAS device, but the integration exists for NAM appliances/ 6K blades too.

Regards,

Mike Korenbaum

Cisco Data Center PDI Help Desk

http://www.cisco.com/go/pdihelpdesk