FlowViewer vs NetVizura NetFlow Analyzer

FlowViewer is free software for analyzing NetFlow data exported by an organization’s network devices. Its interface works with Carnegie Mellon’s SiLK software and also supports the older flow-tools collector. The toolset combines FlowViewer for text reports, FlowGrapher for charts, and FlowMonitor for longer-term traffic monitoring. It supports NetFlow versions 5 and 9, including IPv6, and offers filtering by address, port, interface, autonomous system, TOS, TCP flags, protocol, and next hop. More than 30 reports are available, and reports and filters can be saved. FlowGrapher charts bits, flows, and packets per second over a selected period; FlowMonitor provides RRD graphs for filtered traffic, with views from 24 hours to 3 years. Dashboards can give groups such as Security and Operations separate live views. FlowViewer is listed for Linux and web use and can be installed on a dedicated Unix server or virtual appliance; the software requires a Unix server. The free plan is free. Paid options include hourly support at a price agreed with the maker, router configuration at $500, paid once, training at $500, paid once, and installation at $750, paid once.

NetVizura NetFlow Analyzer is a self-hosted tool for visualizing network traffic and helping administrators investigate and report on it. It accepts NetFlow v5 and v9, NSEL, IPFIX, and sFlow exports; the vendor names Cisco, Juniper, and HP among supported vendors and says devices exporting supported protocols can be used. Traffic analysis spans devices, interfaces, hosts, conversations, services, protocols, QoS markers, and autonomous systems. Administrators can define Traffic Patterns using attributes such as routers, interfaces, service ports, QoS, protocol, and next hop. Charts, tables, drill-down views, and a raw data archive support investigation of older anomalies. Throughput or volume thresholds can trigger alarms, with email notifications and a central overview. Reports can be exported and scheduled for email delivery. Linux and Windows downloads are listed, including Linux packages, a Linux ISO/VMware image, and a Windows installer. The free trial lasts 30 days from installation and is limited to 500 flows per second and five exporters. Paid perpetual and subscription licences are based on flow rate, with prices available on request.