Network Management

Self-Led Project Plan for Netflow Traffic Analyzer

This article provides a step-by-step guide for self-led onboarding of SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA). It includes installation, integration with the SolarWinds Platform, NetFlow and CBQoS configuration, IP address group management, flow navigation, reporting, alerting, and use case scenarios to help you analyze network traffic, identify performance issues, and optimize bandwidth utilization effectively.

First published date

8/15/2025 9:08 PM

Last published date

8/20/2025 4:49 PM

Overview

Installation & Setup

Install SolarWinds Platform Products

Install the required SolarWinds Platform products in a new environment before configuring NTA.
SolarWinds Platform Installation Guide

System Requirements

NetFlow Configuration

Set Up Network Devices to Export NetFlow Data

Configure network devices to export NetFlow data to NTA.
Set Up Devices to Export NetFlow Data

Device Configuration Examples

Use vendor-specific configuration examples for exporting flows.
Device Configuration Examples

Manage Flow Sources & CBQoS Devices

Add, edit, and maintain flow sources and CBQoS devices in NTA.
Configure Flow Sources & CBQoS Devices

Configure Applications & Service Ports

Set up monitored applications and ports for traffic analysis.
Applications & Service Ports
NTA Report – Ports/Application Name
Enable/Disable Port Monitoring

CBQoS Settings

Enable and monitor CBQoS data dynamically.
View CBQoS Data
Monitor CBQoS Dynamically

Monitoring & Settings

IP Address Groups

Create, edit, and delete IP address groups for traffic segmentation.
Manage IP Address Groups
Edit IP Address Groups
Delete IP Address Groups

Retention Settings

Maintain and optimize NTA Flow Storage database performance.
Flow Storage Database Maintenance

Using NTA & Flow Navigator

View NetFlow Summary & Details

Access NTA data in the SolarWinds Platform Web Console for traffic insights.
View NTA Data in the SolarWinds Platform Web Console

Flow Navigator Filters

Create and use Flow Navigator filters to analyze specific traffic patterns.
Flow Requirements
Flow Storage Database Settings
Use Flow Navigator

Filtered Views

Save custom Flow Navigator views and assign them to menu bars.
Create Custom Views

Reports & Analytics

Add NetFlow Resources to Views

Incorporate NetFlow resources into SolarWinds Platform web views.
Add NetFlow Resources

NTA Reports

Review, create, and edit reports for flow data.
Best Practices for NTA Reports
Edit NTA Reports

CBQoS Reports

Generate and review historical CBQoS reports.
Historical CBQoS Reports

Alerts & Actions

Flow Alerts

Create quick flow alerts from the NTA summary page.
Configure Flow Alerts

Advanced NTA Alerts

Set up and customize advanced alerting for NTA.
Advanced NTA Alerts

Use Case Scenarios

Investigate High Bandwidth Utilization

Identify causes of excessive bandwidth usage.
Find the Cause of High Bandwidth Usage

Track Traffic by Site

Monitor site-specific traffic patterns.
Track Traffic by Site

Best Practices & Enhancements

Notes

This plan is designed for customers who prefer a self-paced onboarding experience.
- Self-Led Project Plans
For assisted onboarding, refer to SolarWinds Deployment Services.
- Deployment Scope
For troubleshooting, contact SolarWinds Support.
- Submit a Ticket

Product section

Netflow Traffic Analyzer

Disclaimer: Please note, any content posted herein is provided as a suggestion or recommendation to you for your internal use. This is not part of the SolarWinds software or documentation that you purchased from SolarWinds, and the information set forth herein may come from third parties. Your organization should internally review and assess to what extent, if any, such custom scripts or recommendations will be incorporated into your environment. You elect to use third-party content at your own risk, and you will be solely responsible for the incorporation of the same if any.