[c-nsp] Re: Netflow traffic study

[Olav Langeland]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kanagaraj Krishna [mailto:kanagaraj at aims.com.my] 
> Sent: 29. desember 2005 04.58
> To: cisco-nsp at puck.nether.net
> Cc: Kanagaraj Krishna
> Subject: [c-nsp] Re: Netflow traffic study
> 
> Hi,
>    I'm working for a medium size ISP providing transit 
> services to our customers. We are currently in the process of 
> expanding our network
> which includes addition to our upstream providers. In the 
> process of identifying where to put our money into, we want 
> to study our customers
> traffic pattern (destination, type of traffic, region etc) 
> before deciding on the most suitable  upstream provider that 
> fits the bill
> (coverage and quality). One of the option that we are looking 
> into in doing these is the Netflow function on cisco routers. 
> I have a few
> questions regarding this issue:
> 
> - Any good (free/open source) software that can analyze 
> (stats, graph etc) Netflow data?
> - Any comments on the use of Netflow for this purpose?
> - Any other suggestions in reaching our objectives (other 
> than Netflow)?
> 
> Hope to get input from you guys out there. Thanks.
> 
> Regards,
> Kanagaraj Krishna

Netflow is exactly what you are looking for :) 

For analysing netflow data, have a look at flow-tools which can be used
to generate all the stats/graphs you need. Stager or Ntop can also be of
use, but maybe not the best tools for the kind of information you
described. 

-olav