How to Monitor and Analyze Your Network Traffic
Microsoft Azure's ExpressRoute service provides customers private, dedicated connections between their on-premises infrastructure and Azure data centers. Using ExpressRoute, customers can ensure that their data remains secure and their network performance is optimized.
To ensure that your ExpressRoute connection is performing optimally and to identify any potential issues, it's important to monitor and analyze your network traffic. This is where ExpressRoute traffic collectors come in.
What Are ExpressRoute Traffic Collectors?
ExpressRoute traffic collectors are software applications that capture and analyze network traffic flowing over an ExpressRoute connection. These collectors are typically installed on a device within the customer's network connected to the ExpressRoute circuit.
The traffic collector captures packets from the ExpressRoute circuit and provides visibility into the types of traffic and applications flowing over the circuit. This information can be used to identify performance issues, security threats, and other potential problems.
ExpressRoute Traffic Collector Options
There are several options for ExpressRoute traffic collectors, including third-party solutions and built-in collectors provided by Microsoft Azure.
Third-party solutions include tools like Plixer Scrutinizer, SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer, and ManageEngine NetFlow Analyzer. These solutions offer advanced features for monitoring and analyzing network traffic, such as real-time traffic visualization, historical analysis, and the ability to generate custom reports.
Microsoft Azure provides built-in traffic collectors for ExpressRoute as part of its Network Performance Monitor and Azure Monitor services. Network Performance Monitor provides end-to-end network monitoring and diagnostics, while Azure Monitor provides monitoring and alerting for Azure resources and applications.
How to Set Up an ExpressRoute Traffic Collector?
Setting up an ExpressRoute traffic collector will depend on the specific solution you choose. However, the basic steps will typically involve the following:
- Choose a traffic collector solution that meets your needs.
- Install the traffic collector on a device within your network connected to the ExpressRoute circuit.
- Configure the traffic collector to capture and analyze network traffic flowing over the ExpressRoute circuit.
- Use the insights provided by the traffic collector to identify performance issues, security threats, and other potential problems.
Best Practices for Using ExpressRoute Traffic Collectors
To get the most out of your ExpressRoute traffic collector, it's important to follow best practices for monitoring and analyzing network traffic. Some best practices to consider include the following.
- Set up alerts to notify you of abnormal traffic patterns or network behavior.
- Use various monitoring and analysis tools to get a comprehensive view of your network traffic.
- Regularly review and analyze your network traffic to identify trends and potential issues.
- Continuously monitor your network traffic to ensure that your ExpressRoute connection is performing optimally.
Conclusion
ExpressRoute traffic collectors are essential for monitoring and analyzing network traffic flowing over an ExpressRoute connection. By using these collectors, customers can gain valuable insights into their network traffic and identify potential issues that could impact their network performance or security. By following best practices for monitoring and analyzing network traffic, customers can ensure that their ExpressRoute connection is performing optimally and their data remains secure.