Analyzing NetFlow
NetFlow describes the data about connections between devices in the network. Used primarily to troubleshoot connectivity and bandwidth issues, NetFlow can be used by responders to gain insight into the movement of data precipitating an incident.
NetFlow is a feature that was first introduced by Cisco Systems in the 1990s. NetFlow collects specific data about packets as they enter or exit an interface of a router or switch. This data is then sent to a NetFlow Collector via a NetFlow Exporter, which is often made part of switches or routers. The NetFlow Collector then aggregates and stores the flow data for analysis. This data is often leveraged by network and systems administrators to troubleshoot bandwidth issues, identify network congestion, and observe the flow of data.
A sample NetFlow output can be seen in the following screenshot. What is included with flow data can vary between network device manufacturers as there are several versions in the commercial...