How do you configure NetFlow on a Cisco XR 12000 or Cisco ASR Series router? I have been asked this question lately so I thought I would share this with you today.
The NetFlow infrastructure is based on the configuration and use of the following maps:
- Exporter Map
- Sampler Map
- Flow Monitor Map
Exporter Map:
To configure the Exporter map, you need to define the destination (flow collector), the source interface, the port used for exporting, the version of NetFlow, and the timeout rates.
router(config)# flow exporter-map SCRUTINIZER-EM
router(config-fem)# destination 10.1.1.5
router(config-fem)# source gi0/0
router(config-fem)# transport udp 2055
router(config-fem)# version v9
router(config-fem)# template data timeout 60
router(config-fem)# options interface-table timeout 60
router(config-fem)# exit
Sampler Map:
The Sampler map defines the sample rate, default for the ASR series is 10000, no default for the XR 12000, but recommended sample value is 10000 for optimal performance.
router(config)# sampler-map SCRUTINIZER-SM
router(config-sm)# random 1 out-of 10000
router(config)# exit
Flow Monitor Map:
The Flow Monitor map defines the cache timeout values and associates the exporter map with this map.
router(config)# flow monitor-map SCRUTINIZER-FMM
router(config-fmm)# record ipv4
router(config-fmm)# exporter SCRUTINIZER-EM
router(config-fmm)# cache timeout active 60
router(config-fmm)# cache timeout inactive 15
router(config-fmm)# exit
Apply the maps to the interfaces
Now that you have your maps defined, you need to apply the Flow Monitor and Sampler maps to each of your active interfaces:
router(config)# interface Gi0/0
router(config-if)# flow ipv4 monitor SCRUTINIZER-FMM sampler SCRUTINIZER-SM ingress
router(config-if)# exit
For more information on these commands, see NetFlow Commands on Cisco ASR 9000 Series Router and NetFlow Commands on Cisco IOS XR Software.
And once you have the NetFlow configuration completed, you can analyze the data with NetFlow reporting using your favorite NetFlow Analysis tool.
I hope this was helpful. Are there other NetFlow capable devices that you need help with the configuration? Please let us know!