NetFlow

NetFlow is an important embedded Cisco IOS Software technology that provides visibility into network behavior and how network assets are being used. This section describes how both traditional and Flexible NetFlow can help the network manager understand the behavior of traffic in the network.

NetFlow Overview

Cisco IOS NetFlow efficiently provides a key set of services for IP applications, including network traffic accounting, usage-based network billing, network planning, security, denial-of-service (DoS) monitoring capabilities, and network monitoring. NetFlow provides valuable information about network users and applications, peak usage times, and traffic routing. Cisco invented NetFlow in 1996, and is the leader in IP traffic-flow technology.