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This chapter describes how to start and use the TrafficDirector application.
The following sections contain more information:
To start the TrafficDirector application, follow these steps:
Step 1 In the Campus menu bar, click the TrafficDirector icon on the toolbar or select Tools > TrafficDirector from the Campus menu bar.
The TrafficDirector main window is displayed (Figure 2-1):
Before using a real-time application, verify that you have met the following prerequisites:
You use the TrafficDirector applications to retrieve information from devices attached to network segments so you can monitor network activity and manage your network.
You can start some applications for agents, agent groups, switches, and Frame Relay agents, while other applications might require you to select just one element (such as one agent within a group, one Frame Relay DLCI, or one switch port).
The applications are grouped into three modes: Traffic, Protocol, and Application. You can use some of the applications from all three modes.
The following sections describe the applications available within each of the TrafficDirector modes:
Traffic mode applications retrieve and display real-time data from the data-link and physical layers of the OSI model. Table 2-1 describes the traffic mode applications:
| This Application... | Performs This Function |
|---|---|
Traffic Monitor | Retrieves and displays data-link layer statistics and displays the data in graphs. Applies to RMON domain only. |
Segment Zoom (per selected generic domain) | Retrieves data-link layer statistics, consolidates the data, and displays the consolidated data in graphs. |
Segment Details (per selected generic domain) | Lists all RMON1 statistics and utilization calculation results. |
Ring Monitor | A special application that lists statistics and errors specific to a Token Ring or FDDI network. |
Source Route Monitor | A special application that lists real-time inter-ring and intra-ring traffic statistics specific to a Token Ring network. |
Domain History (per selected generic domain) | Displays and updates a real-time graph of various counters from the RMON1 statistics group and utilization calculation results. The period of historical analysis presented begins when you invoke this application and ends when you exit from this application. |
TopN Talkers (per selected generic domain) | Displays, by physical (MAC) address, the most active hosts connected to the network segment being monitored by a selected agent (requires that the host group be enabled in the RMON domain). |
All Talkers (per selected generic domain) | Lists, by physical (MAC) address, all hosts connected to the network segment being monitored by a selected agent (requires that the host group be enabled in the RMON domain). |
Short-Term History (per selected generic domain) | Retrieves and displays short-term snapshots of RMON1 statistical counters stored in an agent's memory buffer. Establishing the parameters of the short-term snapshot is a TrafficDirector administrative function. |
Long-Term History (per selected generic domain) | Retrieves and displays long-term snapshots of RMON1 statistical counters stored in an agent's memory buffer. Establishing the parameters of the long-term snapshot is a TrafficDirector administrative function. |
All Conversations (per selected generic domain) | Lists, by physical (MAC) address, all host pairs connected to the network segment being monitored by a selected agent (requires that the conversations group be enabled in the RMON domain). |
ATM Monitor | Displays graphical, real-time ATM network performance information. |
VLAN Monitor | Displays real-time activity on individual VLANs by packets, octets, or priority level. |
Custom History | Retrieves and displays user-defined MIB variables held in SwitchProbe memory. |
Protocol mode applications retrieve and display real-time data from the network layer of the OSI model. Table 2-2 describes the protocol mode applications:
| This Application... | Performs This Function |
|---|---|
Protocol Monitor (per selected protocol domain group) | Retrieves network-layer statistics from various counters and displays the data in graphs. |
Protocol Zoom (per selected domain group) | Retrieves network-layer (protocol) statistics and application-layer statistics (children and grandchildren of protocol) from various counters and displays the data in graphs. |
Protocol History | Displays and updates a real-time graph of various statistics (packets, bytes, destinations, and errors) and utilization calculation results for the network layer of the network segment being monitored by a selected agent. The period of historical analysis presented begins when you start this application and ends when you exit. |
TopN Talkers | Displays network-layer information of the most active hosts connected to the network segment being monitored by a selected agent (requires that the host group be enabled in the protocol domain). |
All Talkers | Lists network-layer information of all hosts connected to the network segment being monitored by a selected agent (requires that the host group be enabled in the protocol domain). |
All Conversations | Lists network-layer information of all host pairs connected to the network segment being monitored by a selected agent (requires that the conversations group be enabled in the protocol domain). |
Application mode applications retrieve and display real-time data from layers four though seven of the OSI model. Table 2-3 describes the application mode applications:
| This Application... | Performs This Function |
|---|---|
Application Monitor (per selected domain group) | Retrieves and displays application-layer (OSI layers four through seven) statistics from various counters for the network segment being monitored by a selected agent. |
Application History | Displays and updates a real-time graph of statistics (packets and bytes) and utilization calculation results for the application layer of the network segment being monitored by a selected agent. The period of historical analysis presented begins when you start this application and ends when you exit. |
ART Monitor | Displays application response times on your network, allowing you to monitor application performance. |
TopN Talkers | Displays the most active hosts connected to the network segment being monitored by a selected agent (requires that the host group be enabled in the domain). |
All Talkers (hosts per selected domain) | Lists all hosts connected to the network segment being monitored by a selected agent (requires that the host group be enabled in the domain). |
All Conversations | Lists all host pairs connected to the network segment being monitored by a selected agent (requires that the conversations group be enabled in the domain). |
TopN Conversations | Displays, in descending order, the most active pairs of hosts on a network segment. |
You can use the applications shown in Table 2-4 in any of the three modes (Traffic, Protocol, or Application):
| This Application... | Performs This Function |
|---|---|
Data Capture | Allows you to retrieve specific data and store the data in a file. You can examine this file at any time using the Protocol Decode application. |
Protocol Decode | Detailed examination of the data retrieved using the Data Capture application. |
Domain Discovery | Retrieves and lists the names and statistics of all domains and thresholds that have been installed (administrative task) on a selected agent, switch, or DLCI. |
Round Trip Delay | Real-time monitoring of ping sweeps configured in SwitchProbe devices. |
Proxy SNMP | Real-time observation of MIB values retrieved by SwitchProbe devices in which the SNMP Resource Monitor option is installed, and configured to perform SNMP gets of MIB Objects in devices on the network. |
Test Agent | Quickly determines if a selected agent (a common agent or a Frame Relay agent) or selected switch is operational. |
Alert Monitor | Alerts you when certain conditions arise on the network segment you are monitoring, or when processes that control report data logging encounter problems retrieving data and generating reports. |
Trend Reporter | Generates a wide range of reports to identify usage patterns, gauge network health, and determine the cost of network usage. |
The following sections explain basic conventions that apply to all administrative applications.
Most TrafficDirector windows contain menu bars with lists of options. Beneath each menu bar is a shortcut toolbar with icons that you can use to print or update the window contents, delete one or more items from the window and, in some windows, open or edit a file. Clicking on these buttons either starts a single action or displays another list of options. Application windows contain displays of graphical network data and list boxes containing data related to the window function.
When you enter information in TrafficDirector windows, keep the following conventions in mind:
You perform most functions from the TrafficDirector main window. You can also use the main window to add agents and agent groups, and to edit agents that you have already added. The TrafficDirector application does not recognize an agent until you have added it using the main window functions.
You perform most mouse selections with the left mouse button. Procedures are based on using a three-button mouse. If you are using a two-button mouse, click the right and left mouse buttons at the same time to simulate the function of the middle mouse button.
Table 2-5 lists keyboard shortcuts you can use with the TrafficDirector application:
| Key Combination | Result |
|---|---|
[Ctrl]+[P] | Opens the print window. |
[Alt]+[F4] | Closes the active window. |
[Alt]+[F1] | Opens the Agent Information window for a selected agent. |
[F2] | Refreshes the information displayed in a real-time monitoring application. |
HTML-based online help is available from the Help menu on the top bar of each application. The frame-based display provides you with a Table of Contents, Index, Glossary, and application-specific help for using the TrafficDirector software.
You can open multiple TrafficDirector applications or multiple windows in the same application at the same time. However, if you open multiple windows that monitor the same data, the data may be different because each window has an independent sample rate
(30 seconds, 1 minute, and so on).
The refresh rate is the amount of time that the TrafficDirector application waits before automatically updating the information displayed in graphic and table application windows. Depending on the application, you can define a refresh rate from fifteen seconds to five minutes.
To change the refresh rate, follow these steps:
Step 1 Select Refresh from the menu bar.
Step 2 Select the refresh rate you want.
To manually refresh the information, do one of the following:
In many TrafficDirector applications, you can select the type of data you want to display (such as Errors, Collisions, Vital Signs, and Utilization).
To change the View option currently displayed, follow these steps:
Step 1 Select View from the menu bar.
Step 2 Select a data type from the list that is displayed.
In many TrafficDirector applications, you can select how you want to sort data that is displayed.
To change the sorting options, follow these steps:
Step 1 Select Sort from the menu bar.
Step 2 Select a sort type from the list that is displayed.
Many TrafficDirector applications display information in graphs. In most applications, you can select from different graph formats.
To select an alternate format, follow these steps:
Step 1 Select Format from the menu bar.
Step 2 Select a format from the list that is displayed.
To manipulate the elevation, depth, and angle of any 3-D graph, follow these steps:
Step 1 Move the cursor to a free space in the window of the three-dimensional graph.
Step 1 Do one of the following:
Step 2 Drag the cursor to manipulate the graph.
Step 3 When the graph is positioned the way you want it, release the mouse buttons.
You can magnify sections of history graphs to get a closer look at the data. Magnification is easier to perform when the graph is displayed in area, 2-D, or 3-D bar format.
To magnify a single data point on the graph, follow these steps:
Step 1 Move the cursor to the point you want to magnify.
Step 2 Double click the left mouse button.
The portion of the graph you selected is magnified.
Step 3 Click the left mouse button to return to the regular display.
To magnify a portion of the graph, follow these steps:
Step 1 Move the cursor to one section of the graph.
Step 2 Click the left mouse button.
Step 3 Move the cursor over another section of the graph.
Step 4 Click the left mouse button.
The portion of the graph you selected is magnified.
Step 5 Click the left mouse button to return to the regular display.
To print a graph or tabular display, follow these steps:
(a) Select File from the Destination heading.
(b) Specify the directory path under the Directory heading.
(c) Enter a file name in the File box.
(d) Click OK.
(a) Select File from the Output Options.
(b) From the Directories heading, specify a file name in the File Name box.
(c) Click OK.
(a) Select Printer from the Destination heading.
(b) Use the default printer listed in the Printer box, or enter a different printer.
(c) Click OK.
(a) Select Printer from the Output Options.
(b) Click OK.
The print window is displayed.
(c) Use the default printer displayed or select a different printer from the list box.
(d) Click OK.
To start one of the TrafficDirector applications, follow these steps:
Step 1 Start the TrafficDirector application.
Step 2 In the upper right portion of the main window (Figure 2-1), click one of the following radio buttons.
| Click This Button... | To Display Applications Related to Monitoring |
The data-link layer of the OSI model. | |
The network layer of the OSI model. | |
Layers four through seven of the OSI model. |
Step 3 In the upper left side of the main window (Figure 2-1), click one of the following radio buttons.
| Click This Button... | To Display and Select From a List of... |
Common agents. | |
Agent groups. Note An additional list box is displayed beneath the agent group list box that displays individual agents contained in the currently selected group. | |
Switches. Note An additional list box is displayed beneath the switch list box that lists all the ports of the currently selected switch. | |
Frame Relay agents. Note An additional list box is displayed beneath the Frame Relay agent list box that displays all DLCIs for the currently selected Frame Relay agent. |
Step 4 Select a domain from the Domain Name list, or select a domain group from the Domain Group list.
Step 5 Click the icon for the application you want to start.
The application you selected starts.
The following sections provide more information about working with the TrafficDirector applications:
The TrafficDirector application consists of applications that you can use to configure your network. You can start some applications for agents, agent groups, switches, and Frame Relay agents. Other applications might require you to select just one element of an item (such as one agent in a group, or one Frame Relay data-link connection identifier [DLCI]).
To use the administrative applications, follow these steps:
Step 1 In the upper right side of the TrafficDirector main window, click the Admin radio button (Figure 2-1).
Icons that represent the administrative applications are displayed (Figure 2-2).
Step 2 Click the icon for the application you want to start.
The administrative application you selected is started.
Table 2-6 provides a brief description of the administrative applications:
| This Application... | Is Used To |
|---|---|
Config Manager | Create, configure, test, and edit the configuration of agents, agent groups, switches, or Frame Relay agents, or delete the agents and other devices to be monitored (see Chapter 3, "Using Configuration Manager." Use this application after installing the TrafficDirector software. You also add network agents, Frame Relay agents and switches, define agent groups, install domain logging, traps, proxy SNMP and round trip delay properties files on agents and switches. |
Property Editor | Create, edit, and delete properties files. Use this application to list domains and parameters that determine how data statistics are collected and logged. Create them once the relevant agents, domains, and filters are defined. Also support traps and alarms for each domain. The domains listed in properties files must be installed on agents that monitor network activity. Install properties files using Configuration Manager (see Chapter 3, "Using Configuration Manager"). |
Config Servers | Define, configure, and delete SQL servers---either Microsoft SQL Server, or the embedded-SQL server that comes bundled with the product. To permit an agent to log report data to an SQL server, the server must first be defined using Configure Servers, then assigned to an agent using Configuration Manager (see Chapter 3, "Using Configuration Manager"). |
Config Rollup | Define the number of days that report data is stored in the SQL report database. Also determine a set of baseline values to establish a starting point for data evaluation. Use this application to implement trend reports. After the defined number of days, the report data is automatically deleted from the SQL report database. |
Filter Editor | Create, edit, and delete filters. A filter allows you to search based on specific criteria. Use this application to isolate particular network traffic. You can assign filters to a generic domain in the Domain Editor, or you can select them in the Data Capture user application. |
Domain Editor | Create, edit, and delete protocol and generic domains. Use this application after you define agents in Configuration Manager and determining what you need to monitor. |
Remote Login | Log remotely into the SwitchProbe command-line interface. |
Test Agent | Quickly determine if a selected agent (a common agent or a Frame Relay agent) or selected switch is operational. |
Alert Monitor | Alert you when certain conditions arise on the network segment you are monitoring or when processes that control report data logging encounter problems retrieving data and generating reports. |
Trend Reporter | Generate a wide range of reports to identify usage patterns, gauge network health, and determine the cost of network use. |
Report Editor | Edit and define custom report templates. |
When you select Applications from the menu bar of any TrafficDirector application, a list of applications that you can start directly from the application you are running is displayed for the agent and domain you specify. You can also use this shortcut if you are using multiple applications to investigate a particular network segment.
To start one application from within another, follow these steps:
Step 1 Select Applications from the menu bar.
Step 2 Select the application you want to start.
The Launch Application window is displayed and the application you selected is highlighted (Figure 2-3).
Step 3 Select the agent, agent group, switch, switch port, Frame Relay agent, or DLCI for which you want to start the application.
Step 4 Click Launch.
The selected application starts.
To quickly determine if a particular agent (either a common agent or Frame Relay agent) or a switch is operational, follow these steps:
Step 1 From the TrafficDirector main window, click the Agent, Switch, or Frame Relay radio button (in the upper left corner of window), depending on the type of device you want to test.
Step 2 In the TrafficDirector main window agent list box (on the left side of window), select the agent, Frame Relay agent, or switch you want to test.
Step 3 Click the Test Agent icon.
The Agent Test window is displayed (Figure 2-4).
If the agent is operational, the Agent Test window lists general, interface, and system information about the agent.
If the agent is non-operational, the information in the dialog box (Figure 2-5) indicates whether the agent can be reached, and if so, whether the read community string, the write community string, or both have failed.
Step 4 Click OK when you have finished viewing the information.
The following section describes how to test switches:
To test a new or modified switch before you use it, follow these steps:
Step 1 Click the Switch radio button in the TrafficDirector main window.
Step 2 Select the switch you want to test from the Switch list box.
Step 3 Click the Test Agent icon.
Step 4 Click OK when you have finished viewing the information.
The following section describes how to interpret data in the agent test window:
Table 2-7 describes the information displayed in the Agent Test window:
While working with any of the TrafficDirector multiagent monitoring applications, you can display a description of any individual agent's system and interface configuration information.
To quickly access agent information, use one of the following procedures:
Step 1 Select View > Agent Info, or press Alt + F1.
The Agent Information window is displayed (Figure 2-6).
Step 2 Click OK to close the window.
Step 1 Select View > Agent Info.
Step 2 Press Alt + F1, or move the cursor to a bar within the displayed graph.
Step 3 Click the left mouse button.
The Launch Application window is displayed (Figure 2-7). Depending on whether you are viewing statistics for an agent group, switch, or Frame Relay agent, the list box on the right changes to display agents, switch ports, or DLCIs.
Step 4 Under the Application heading, select Agent Info, if it is not already highlighted.
Step 5 From the Ports list box on the right of the window, select the agent, port, or DLCI for which you want information.
Step 6 Do one of the following:
Because it is not possible or desirable to display every digit in a High-Capacity RMON (HCRMON) 64-bit counter in the different TrafficDirector displays, the following conventions have been adopted.
Sixty-four bit counters can be displayed in 4- or 10-digit format, depending on the space available in the application. The magnitude of the number is indicated by a character that immediately follows the string of digits. The valid characters are described in Table 2-8:
| Notation | Description | |
|---|---|---|
K | Thousands | 103 |
M | Millions | 106 |
B | Billions | 109 |
T | Trillions | 1012 |
Q | Quadrillions | 1015 |
U | Quintillions | 1018 |
The general formatting rules are as follows:
Additional data format examples are shown in Table 2-9.
| Number | Four-Digit Format | Ten-Digit Format |
|---|---|---|
1,234 | 1234 | 1234 |
12,345 | 12K | 12345 |
1,234,567 | 1.2M | 1.234567M |
123,456,789 | 123M | 123.45679M |
123,456,789,012 | 123B | 123.45679B |
1,234,567,890,123 | 1.2T | 1.2345679T |
123,456,789,012,345,678 | 123Q | 123.45679Q |
12,345,678,901,234,567,890 | 12U | 12.345679U |
You can exit the TrafficDirector application or any of its related application at any time. When you do, the application saves all the changes you made, such as adding agents, agent groups, or switches, and installing domains.
To exit the TrafficDirector application, select File > Exit or press Alt + F4.
Posted: Fri Mar 31 08:51:47 PST 2000
Copyright 1989 - 2000©Cisco Systems Inc.
