NetFlow Analytics Unveiled: Comparing the Most Powerful Monitoring Tools

• FAQs About Netflow Monitoring
  • What is Netflow?
  • Why should you invest in Netflow Monitoring?
  • What to look for in a tool?
• The Best Netflow Analyzers & Collector Tools

Network management has become increasingly complex and critical for organizations of all sizes. As networks grow in scale and complexity, the need for efficient monitoring and analysis tools has never been more pressing. NetFlow monitoring tools have emerged as a vital solution for network administrators and IT professionals seeking to gain deep insights into their network traffic, optimize performance, and enhance security.

This article explores the world of NetFlow analysis and monitoring tools. We’ll delve into the features, benefits, and unique selling points of various NetFlow analyzers, providing a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision for your organization’s network monitoring needs. From traffic analysis and network bandwidth optimization to security threat detection and capacity planning, these tools offer a wide range of capabilities designed to streamline network management and improve overall IT infrastructure performance.

As we examine each tool, we’ll consider factors such as ease of use, scalability, reporting capabilities, and integration with other systems. Whether you’re managing a small business network or overseeing a large enterprise infrastructure, this guide will help you navigate the options and find the NetFlow monitoring solution that best fits your specific requirements and challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Netflow Monitoring

What is NetFlow?

NetFlow is a network protocol originally developed by Cisco Systems for collecting IP (Internet Protocol) traffic information and monitoring network flow. Since its inception, it has evolved into an industry standard, with many other networking vendors supporting NetFlow or developing similar protocols. This widespread adoption has made NetFlow a crucial tool for network administrators and security professionals alike.

At its core, NetFlow operates by enabling network devices such as routers, switches, and firewalls to collect metadata about the traffic flows passing through them. In the context of NetFlow, a “flow” is defined as a unidirectional sequence of packets that share common properties. These properties typically include source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, protocol type, and other characteristics that define the nature of the traffic. This collected flow data is then exported to a NetFlow collector for analysis, providing a wealth of information about network usage and behavior.

One of the key advantages of NetFlow is its ability to provide detailed insights into network traffic without capturing the full content of communications. This approach makes NetFlow less resource-intensive than full packet capture methods, while still offering valuable visibility into network activities. Network administrators and security professionals use NetFlow data for a variety of purposes, including network traffic analysis, capacity planning, security monitoring, troubleshooting, and even usage-based billing in some cases.

Over time, NetFlow has undergone several iterations, with versions 5 and 9 being the most commonly used today. The latest evolution of NetFlow is IPFIX (IP Flow Information Export), which is considered NetFlow version 10 and has been standardized by the IETF(Internet Engineering Task Force) based on NetFlow v9. In response to the success of NetFlow, other vendors have developed similar protocols and flow technologies, such as sFlow, jFlow, and NetStream, all aimed at providing comparable network flow analysis capabilities.

The information provided by NetFlow is invaluable for network admins seeking to understand various aspects of their network usage. It offers insights into who is using the network, what applications (such as VoIP, Voice Over IP) are being utilized, when peak usage occurs, and where traffic is being directed. This comprehensive observability of network activity is essential for maintaining optimal network performance, enhancing security measures, and ensuring overall network efficiency. As networks continue to grow in complexity and scale, tools like NetFlow remain critical for effective network management and security.

Why Should You Invest in Netflow Monitoring?

There are many reasons to invest in Netflow monitoring. Here are five of them, in no particular order.

1. Performance optimization: continuous monitoring can help you pinpoint issues and identify opportunities for optimization that will improve the performance of your network, sometimes without the need for hardware upgrades.

2. Security: monitoring allows you to spot early signs of uncommon behavior or usage patterns indicative of an intrusion attempt or ongoing attack. This will give you time to react and deploy countermeasures before a data breach occurs.

3. Resource allocation: find out where resources are being underutilized or overutilized, allowing you to redistribute them according to real needs to ensure the most effective usage of your systems.

4. Proactive maintenance: monitoring allows you to detect and fix potential issues before they become critical and result in outages that may affect the performance of your applications or even the profitability of your business.

5. Regulatory compliance: businesses that handle sensitive information, like financial or healthcare data, need to meet strict regulatory standards that specify how this information is stored and handled. Monitoring will allow you to prove compliance with these standards and secure approvals that may be crucial to keep your business running.

What to Look for When Choosing a Netflow Analyzer or Monitoring Tool?

When choosing NetFlow analyzers, there are five main features that are crucial to consider:

1. Data Collection and Processing Capabilities: A robust NetFlow analyzer should be able to collect and process data from various sources and protocols. This includes support for different NetFlow versions (v5, v9), IPFIX, sFlow, and other similar protocols. The tool should be able to handle high volumes of flow data efficiently, scaling with your network’s growth. It should also offer flexible data retention options, allowing you to store historical data for trend analysis and compliance purposes.

2. Visualization and Reporting: Effective data visualization is key to understanding complex network traffic patterns. Look for a NetFlow analyzer that offers customizable dashboards with a variety of chart types, graphs, and tables to represent flow data. The tool should provide both real-time and historical views of network traffic. Additionally, it should offer robust reporting capabilities, allowing you to generate detailed, customizable reports on various aspects of network performance and usage. The ability to schedule and automate report generation is also valuable.

3. Advanced Analytics and Anomaly Detection: Modern NetFlow analyzers should go beyond basic traffic reporting. Look for tools that offer advanced analytics capabilities, such as trend analysis, predictive analytics, and machine learning-based anomaly detection. These features can help identify unusual traffic patterns, potential security threats, or performance issues before they become critical problems. The ability to set custom baselines and thresholds for different types of traffic or network segments is also important.

4. Integration and Extensibility: The NetFlow analyzer should integrate well with your existing network management ecosystem. Look for tools that offer APIs or support for common protocols like SNMP, allowing you to correlate flow data with other network metrics and management systems. The ability to integrate with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems can be particularly valuable for enhancing network security. Additionally, consider whether the tool supports custom scripting or plugins to extend its functionality.

5. Usability and Performance: The usability of the NetFlow analyzer is crucial for effective network management. The interface should be intuitive and user-friendly, allowing network administrators to quickly navigate through data and find the information they need. Search and filtering capabilities are important for diving into specific traffic patterns or troubleshooting issues. The tool should also perform well under load, providing quick query responses even when processing large volumes of flow data. Consider factors like the learning curve, available documentation, and customer support when evaluating usability.

The Best Netflow Analyzers & Collector Tools

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor offers a comprehensive suite of NetFlow monitoring features, including dedicated sensors for various flow protocols such as NetFlow v5/v9, IPFIX, sFlow, and jFlow. The platform provides customizable dashboards for visualizing key metrics, top talker analysis for identifying bandwidth hogs, and application recognition capabilities. 

PRTG excels in bandwidth monitoring, offering detailed insights into usage patterns and historical data analysis for long-term trend evaluation. The system also includes a robust alerting mechanism and customizable reporting tools to keep administrators informed about network performance.

In addition to these core features, PRTG allows for traffic filtering based on multiple parameters and integrates NetFlow data with other network performance monitoring metrics for a holistic view of network health. The platform supports packet sniffing for deeper traffic analysis and can monitor Quality of Service (QoS) parameters using NetFlow data.

One of PRTG’s strengths is its integration of NetFlow analysis with broader network monitoring features. This allows administrators to correlate NetFlow data with other network performance metrics, providing a more comprehensive view of network health and behavior. PRTG also offers robust alerting and reporting capabilities, enabling proactive network management and keeping stakeholders informed about network performance trends.

PRTG is SaaS (Software as a Service), and can be run on-premises or as a cloud service (with PRTG Hosted Monitor). The pricing structure is easy-to-understand: there are five “tiers”, all with exactly the same feature set. The only difference is how many “aspects” of your devices you wish to monitor. According to Paessler, users usually monitor 10 aspects per device, so the base PRTG 500 plan should be enough to monitor 50 devices. A 30-day free trial is available.

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer

SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA) is a dedicated NetFlow analysis tool designed to provide deep insights into network traffic patterns and bandwidth usage. NTA excels in providing detailed traffic analysis, allowing users to break down network traffic by application, protocol, and IP address group. It also offers intuitive visualizations and customizable dashboards that make it easy to interpret complex traffic data.

One of NTA’s key strengths is its integration with other SolarWinds network management tools. This integration allows for correlation of NetFlow data with other network performance metrics, providing a more comprehensive view of network health. NTA also offers robust reporting and alerting capabilities, enabling proactive network management and keeping stakeholders informed about network usage and performance trends.

While SolarWinds NTA is a powerful NetFlow analysis tool, it can be relatively expensive, especially for larger networks. The pricing model, often based on the number of elements monitored, can lead to significant costs as network size increases.

Additionally, while feature-rich, NTA’s complexity can result in a steeper learning curve for new users. Some users have reported that the tool can be resource-intensive, particularly when dealing with high volumes of NetFlow data, which might require careful consideration of hardware requirements. 

SolarWinds Netflow Traffic Analyzer is available in perpetual or subscription licenses, with exact pricing available by quote. A 30-day free trial is available.

Auvik TrafficInsights

Auvik TrafficInsights is a cloud-based NetFlow analysis solution that integrates with Auvik’s network management platform.  One of its key strengths is its ability to provide detailed traffic analysis without the need for complex configuration or management of additional hardware.

The tool offers in-depth visibility into network traffic, allowing administrators to quickly identify top talkers, most-used applications, and bandwidth consumption patterns. Complex NetFlow data in presented in an easily digestible format: through its intuitive user interface, administrators can access a variety of pre-built dashboards and reports that visualize traffic patterns, application usage, and bandwidth consumption.

TrafficInsights stands out for its integration with Auvik’s network topology mapping. This integration allows administrators to correlate traffic data with network device and topology information, providing a more comprehensive view of network performance. The platform also offers anomaly detection features, alerting administrators to unusual traffic patterns that might indicate security threats or network issues. Additionally, TrafficInsights provides capacity planning tools, helping organizations forecast future bandwidth needs based on historical traffic trends.

While Auvik TrafficInsights offers robust NetFlow analysis capabilities, its dependency on the broader Auvik platform may not be ideal for organizations seeking a standalone NetFlow solution. Pricing could be a consideration, as it’s typically part of a larger Auvik subscription, which might be more expensive than standalone NetFlow solutions for smaller networks.

According to Auvik, pricing for TrafficInsights is calculated “per number of switches, routers, firewalls, and controllers”. A 14-day free trial is avaiable.

Kentik Detect

Kentik is a powerful, cloud-based network analytics platform that excels in NetFlow traffic analysis. One of its key strengths is its ability to handle massive volumes of flow data at scale, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes.

The platform offers a rich set of analytical tools that allow users to dive deep into their network traffic data. Through its intuitive web interface, administrators can create custom dashboards, run ad-hoc queries, and generate detailed reports on various aspects of network performance and bandwidth utilization.

Detect goes beyond basic NetFlow analysis by incorporating additional data sources and providing advanced features. It can correlate flow data with other network telemetry, such as BGP routing information and SNMP metrics, to provide a more comprehensive view of network behavior. The platform also offers powerful anomaly detection and alerting capabilities, leveraging machine learning algorithms to identify unusual traffic patterns or potential security threats.

However, the platform’s comprehensive feature set and advanced analytics can lead to a steeper learning curve, potentially requiring additional training for team members to fully leverage its capabilities.

Kentik is SaaS, available in three subscription plans (Essentials, Pro and Premier), billed annually. A 30-day free trial is avaiable.

Noction Flow Analyzer

Noction Flow Analyzer is a dedicated NetFlow analysis tool designed to provide comprehensive network traffic monitoring and performance insights. One of its key strengths is its ability to present complex NetFlow data in an easily digestible format. The tool offers a user-friendly web interface with customizable dashboards that display various traffic metrics, including top talkers, most-used applications, and bandwidth consumption patterns. These visualizations make it easy for administrators to quickly identify trends, anomalies, or potential security threats.

Noction Flow Analyzer also provides advanced filtering and reporting capabilities. Users can drill down into specific time periods, IP addresses, or applications to gain deeper insights into network behavior. The tool’s reporting feature allows for the generation of detailed, customizable reports that can be scheduled and automatically distributed to relevant stakeholders, ensuring everyone stays informed about network performance and usage trends.

While Noction Flow Analyzer offers robust NetFlow analysis capabilities, it may have a steeper learning curve for users new to NetFlow analysis. The tool’s focus on advanced features might be overwhelming for smaller organizations with simpler network monitoring needs.

Additionally, as a dedicated NetFlow analysis tool, it may lack some of the broader network management features found in more comprehensive network monitoring suites. Noction Flow Analyzer is SaaS, available in only one plan billed annually or monthly. A 30-day free trial is avaiable.

Wireshark

Wireshark, while primarily known as a packet analyzer, can also be used for NetFlow analysis when combined with appropriate plugins or external tools. To use Wireshark for NetFlow analysis, administrators typically need to capture NetFlow data using a separate collector and then import this data into Wireshark for detailed examination.

Once the NetFlow data is imported, Wireshark’s powerful filtering and analysis capabilities come into play. Users can leverage Wireshark’s extensive protocol support and deep packet inspection features to dissect NetFlow records, examining details such as source and destination IP addresses, port numbers, protocol information, and byte counts. This level of granularity allows for in-depth analysis of network traffic patterns and behavior.

Wireshark’s flexibility is one of its key advantages for NetFlow analysis. Advanced users can create custom dissectors or use Lua scripts to extend Wireshark’s capabilities, tailoring the analysis to their specific needs. Additionally, Wireshark’s ability to visualize traffic flows and generate various statistics can help in identifying trends, anomalies, or potential security issues within the network.

While Wireshark is a powerful tool, it’s not primarily designed for NetFlow analysis, which can make the process more complex compared to dedicated NetFlow tools. It lacks built-in NetFlow collection capabilities, requiring additional tools or scripts for data gathering. The user interface, while feature-rich, can be overwhelming for those not familiar with packet analysis tools.

Additionally, Wireshark is better suited for post-mortem analysis rather than real-time monitoring, which may limit its usefulness in scenarios requiring immediate insights into network behavior. The tool also requires significant expertise to use effectively for NetFlow analysis, potentially increasing the learning curve and time investment for network administrators. Wireshark is Open Source software, and free to use.

Nprobe

Nprobe is a powerful, open-source NetFlow probe and collector that can be used for comprehensive NetFlow analysis and collection. It can generate NetFlow data from live traffic or collect NetFlow exports from network devices.

One of Nprobe’s strengths is its versatility in handling various flow types. It supports NetFlow v5/v9, IPFIX, and sFlow, making it compatible with a wide range of network devices. Nprobe can collect flow monitoring data, enrich it with additional information (such as geolocation or application identification), and then export this enhanced data to other analysis tools or store it for further processing.

Nprobe offers several built-in analysis capabilities, including real-time traffic monitoring, top talkers identification, and basic traffic pattern recognition. Its command-line interface allows for flexible configuration and integration with other tools and scripts, enabling administrators to create custom analysis workflows. Additionally, Nprobe can be used in conjunction with visualization tools like ntopng to provide graphical representations of network traffic data.

While Nprobe is powerful and flexible, it has a steeper learning curve compared to some commercial NetFlow solutions, and its command-line interface and configuration options may be challenging for less experienced users. Additionally, while Nprobe excels at data collection and export, more advanced analysis often requires integration with other tools, which can increase complexity and management overhead.

Nprobe is licensed per system, and is available in 4 tiers: Pro, Enterprise S, Enterprise M and Enterprise L. There is special pricing for upgrades between versions. Universities and non-profit organizations can contact the developer to get a free license.

Plixer FlowPro

Plixer FlowPro is a comprehensive network analysis and security intelligence platform designed to provide deep insights into network traffic patterns and potential security threats. One of FlowPro’s key strengths is its powerful analytics engine, which processes massive volumes of flow data to identify patterns, anomalies, and potential security issues.

The platform offers a user-friendly web interface with customizable dashboards that visualize various aspects of network traffic, including top talkers, application usage, and bandwidth consumption. These visualizations make it easy for administrators to quickly spot trends or unusual activities.

FlowPro also excels in its security-focused features. It includes built-in threat intelligence feeds and behavioral analysis algorithms that can detect potential security threats, such as DDoS attacks, data exfiltration attempts, or compromised hosts. The platform’s forensic capabilities allow for detailed historical analysis, enabling administrators to investigate past incidents or track the progression of security events over time.

While Plixer FlowPro offers robust NetFlow analysis and security features, it may be more complex and potentially more expensive than some organizations require, especially for smaller networks with simpler monitoring needs. The advanced features and security-focused capabilities might have a steeper learning curve for users primarily interested in basic traffic analysis.

Additionally, as a dedicated NetFlow analysis platform, it may not integrate as seamlessly with broader network management tools compared to more general-purpose network monitoring suites. Pricing for Plixer FlowPro is only available by quote. There is no free trial, but a demo is avaiable. 

Netvizura NetFlow Analyzer

Netvizura NetFlow Analyzer is a comprehensive network traffic analysis tool that offers a range of features for NetFlow monitoring. At its core, the platform provides real-time and historical analysis of network traffic data collected through NetFlow, IPFIX, and other flow protocols. It offers a highly scalable architecture capable of processing large volumes of flow data, making it suitable for organizations of various sizes.

This tool stands out for its advanced analytics and security features. It incorporates machine learning algorithms for anomaly detection, helping to identify unusual traffic patterns that might indicate network issues or security threats, and provides detailed application recognition capabilities. It also offers capacity planning features, enabling organizations to forecast future bandwidth needs based on historical traffic trends. Furthermore, Netvizura integrates with other network management and security tools, allowing for a more comprehensive approach to network monitoring and security.

The platform provides advanced visualization capabilities, with customizable dashboards and reports that present complex network data in easily digestible formats. Users can create interactive charts, graphs, and tables to visualize traffic patterns, top talkers, application usage, and bandwidth consumption. The tool also offers drill-down functionality, allowing administrators to investigate specific traffic flows or time periods in detail. Additionally, Netvizura includes powerful filtering and search capabilities, enabling users to quickly isolate and analyze particular network segments or traffic types.

While Netvizura NetFlow Analyzer offers a robust set of features, it does have some potential drawbacks. As with many advanced NetFlow analysis tools, Netvizura may be more expensive than simpler alternatives, which could be a concern for organizations with tight budgets. Additionally, as a dedicated NetFlow analysis tool, it may not integrate as seamlessly with broader network management suites compared to more general-purpose solutions. 

Netvizura NetFlow Analyzer is available with Perpetual or Subscription Licensing, with prices by quote. A free trial for Linux (Debian, Ubuntu or Centos) or Windows is available. 

TheDude

TheDude, developed by MikroTik, is a comprehensive network monitoring and management tool that includes NetFlow analysis capabilities. One of TheDude’s strengths is its integrated approach to network management. Along with NetFlow analysis, it offers features like network discovery, mapping, and monitoring, providing a holistic view of the network. For NetFlow specifically, TheDude allows users to view traffic statistics, identify top talkers, and analyze bandwidth usage across different network segments.

TheDude offers a graphical user interface that makes it relatively easy to visualize network traffic data. Users can create custom dashboards and reports to track specific metrics or monitor particular areas of interest. The tool also includes alerting capabilities, allowing administrators to set up notifications for various network events or traffic thresholds.

While TheDude offers NetFlow analysis capabilities, it’s primarily a general network management tool rather than a specialized NetFlow analyzer. As such, its NetFlow features may not be as comprehensive or advanced as those found in dedicated NetFlow analysis platforms.

Additionally, TheDude’s strongest integration is with MikroTik devices, which may limit its effectiveness in networks using a wide variety of equipment from different vendors, such as Cisco or Juniper. Users looking for deep, specialized NetFlow analytics might find TheDude’s capabilities somewhat limited compared to purpose-built NetFlow analysis tools.

Conclusion

After evaluating various NetFlow monitoring tools, Paessler PRTG stands out as our top recommendation for comprehensive network traffic analysis. PRTG’s strengths lie in its versatility, offering over 200 pre-configured sensors, including dedicated NetFlow sensors, which make it highly adaptable to diverse network environments. Its user-friendly interface, featuring an intuitive dashboard and customizable maps, provides clear visibility into network performance for both novice and experienced users.

PRTG’s scalability allows it to efficiently monitor networks of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Its comprehensive monitoring capabilities extend beyond NetFlow to include a wide range of network, server, and application monitoring features, offering a unified solution for IT infrastructure management. This all-in-one approach can replace multiple specialized tools, leading to cost savings and simplified IT operations.

While other tools also offer strong capabilities, PRTG’s combination of features, ease of use, and versatility makes it an excellent choice for organizations seeking a comprehensive NetFlow and network monitoring solution. Its robust alerting mechanisms, detailed reporting features, and regular updates ensure that PRTG remains current with evolving network technologies and security requirements, providing long-term value to its users.