What is JFlow? Here’s the System and How it Works

In the previous article, we discussed the definition of sFlow, its advantages, and limitations. This article will discuss the topic of JFlow. What is meant by JFlow? As quoted from the Technopedia article, JFlow is a software-based network technology that facilitates monitoring and recording of data flowing between configured devices, especially routers and switches. JFlow was developed by Juniper Network. Just like sFlow, JFlow is a data flow sampling technology created using a collection of Java classes.

System Provided by JFlow

JFlow operates like NetFlow and sFlow developed by Cisco and HP technology. In addition to its usefulness as a flow recording technique, JFlow also provides network analysis and anomaly detection by storing and comparing network data flow trends.

In an e-book published by Juniper, it is stated that JFlow provides network operators with access to IP flow information and increased visibility across their networks. With JFlow, network devices such as routers, firewalls, and switches collect flow data and export the information to a flow collector. The collected data can provide important information about traffic on the network and help in tasks such as billing, traffic engineering, capacity planning, and traffic analysis to see policy decisions.

How JFlow Works

How does JFlow work? The Technopedia article also explains that JFlow works by monitoring every packet flowing in the network. If the incoming packet is not registered in the router table, JFlow will record it and discard packets that already have a routing table (routing table instance). The collected data is then managed in a series of caches, each of which provides a different set of information related to the network flow.

References:

www.technopedia.com/definition/28316/jflow

www.juniper.net/us/en/local/pdf/app-notes/3500204-en.pdf