* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog)
* [Palo Alto Networks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/corporate/)
* [Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/)
* Go with the NetFlow

# Go with the NetFlow

[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2015%2F10%2Fgo-with-the-netflow%2F)  
[](https://twitter.com/share?text=Go+with+the+NetFlow&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2015%2F10%2Fgo-with-the-netflow%2F)  
[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2015%2F10%2Fgo-with-the-netflow%2F&title=Go+with+the+NetFlow&summary=&source=)  
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2015/10/go-with-the-netflow/&ts=markdown)  
\[\](mailto:?subject=Go with the NetFlow)  
Link copied  
By [Carl Mills](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/carl-mills/?ts=markdown "Posts by Carl Mills")  
Oct 26, 2015  
2 minutes  
[Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/?ts=markdown)  
[Technical Documentation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/technical-documentation/?ts=markdown)  
[NetFlow](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/netflow/?ts=markdown)

#### What is NetFlow and How Can it Help Me Monitor Traffic?

Do you want to know how much traffic is flowing through your network, where it's coming from and going to, and who is generating it?

Palo Alto Networks firewalls support NetFlow v9, an industry-standard protocol for exporting information about IP traffic flows as they enter or exit an interface. You can use this information to gain real-time situational awareness of all users, devices, and traffic in your network.

[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/documentation.html?ts=markdown)  
[![netflow1](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/netflow1-500x168.png)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/documentation.html?ts=markdown)

The firewall sends the flow information as NetFlow records to a NetFlow collector. A flow is a unidirectional sequence of packets that have common attributes such as ingress interface, source/destination IP address, IP protocol, source/destination port, and IP type of service. In the Palo Alto Networks implementation, the NetFlow records also include application names and usernames that the [App-ID](https://paloaltonetworks.com/documentation/70/pan-os/pan-os/app-id.html) and [User-ID](https://paloaltonetworks.com/documentation/70/pan-os/pan-os/user-id.html) features identify. The NetFlow collector processes the flow records to present traffic analysis in a user-friendly format. This traffic analysis enables you to discover patterns in bandwidth usage and device performance. It also helps you detect traffic anomalies so you can improve firewall policies to protect your network while allowing users to access useful applications.

For example, if users complain about slow or sporadic access to services, NetFlow can help you identify which users, endpoints, applications, and protocols use the most bandwidth and at what times. Identifying the top "talkers" and predicting spikes in activity can help you plan bandwidth expansion. If DoS or other attacks target your network, NetFlow can help you to detect these before they escalate and cause a network outage.

#### Using NetFlow is Easy!

To start using NetFlow to analyze traffic:

1. Define access to a NetFlow collector by configuring a NetFlow server profile.
2. Assign the profile to each firewall interface that carries the traffic you want to monitor.
3. Use the NetFlow collector to analyze the traffic.

For detailed configuration instructions and a list of supported NetFlow templates and fields, refer to [NetFlow Monitoring](https://paloaltonetworks.com/documentation/70/pan-os/pan-os/monitoring/netflow-monitoring.html) in the PAN-OS 7.0 Administrator's Guide.

*** ** * ** ***

## Related Blogs

### [Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/?ts=markdown), [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown), [Technical Documentation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/technical-documentation/?ts=markdown)

[#### Tech Docs: New Firewalls and Appliances with PAN-OS 8.1!](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2018/03/tech-docs-new-firewalls-and-appliances-with-pan-os-8-1/)

### [Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown), [Technical Documentation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/technical-documentation/?ts=markdown)

[#### Tech Docs: Improve Your Remote Work Experience with GlobalProtect App 4.1!](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2018/03/tech-docs-improve-remote-work-experience-globalprotect-app-4-1/)

### [Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/?ts=markdown), [Technical Documentation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/technical-documentation/?ts=markdown)

[#### Tech Docs: Close the Door on Threats to Your OpenStack Environment](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2017/04/tech-docs-close-door-threats-openstack-environment/)

### [Cloud NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/cloud-ngfw/?ts=markdown), [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cloud-security/?ts=markdown), [Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/?ts=markdown)

[#### Modernizing Security on AWS: From Firewall Ops to Security Intent](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/modernizing-security-on-aws-from-firewall-ops-to-security-intent/)

### [Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/?ts=markdown), [Strata Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/strata-network-security-platform/?ts=markdown), [Zero Trust Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/zero-trust-security/?ts=markdown)

[#### Powering the AI Enterprise with New Software Firewall Capabilities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/powering-the-ai-enterprise-with-new-software-firewall-capabilities/)

### [AI Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/ai-application-security/?ts=markdown), [AI Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-governance/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/?ts=markdown), [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown), [Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown)

[#### Palo Alto Networks Announces Support for NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2026/01/support-nvidia-enterprise-ai-factory/)

### Subscribe to the Blog!

Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more.
![spinner](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up  
Please enter a valid email.  
By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.  
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply.  
{#footer} {#footer}

## Products and Services

* [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown)

* [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown)

* [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown)

* [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown)

* [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown)

* [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown)

* [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown)

* [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown)

* [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown)

* [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown)

* [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown)

* [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)

* [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown)

* [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown)

* [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown)

* [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown)

* [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown)

## Company

* [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown)
* [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/)
* [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown)
* [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown)
* [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown)
* [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown)
* [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown)

## Popular Links

* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown)
* [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown)
* [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown)
* [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown)
* [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center)
* [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown)
* [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown)
* [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown)
* [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown)
* [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd)
  ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg)
* [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown)
* [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown)
* [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown)
* [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown)

Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved

* [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks)
* [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown)
* [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/)
* [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks)
* [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks)
* EN  
  Select your language