sFlow
sFlow (Sampled Flow) is a network monitoring protocol used for collecting and analyzing traffic data from network devices like switches and routers. It provides real-time visibility into network performance by sampling packets at high speeds, enabling efficient monitoring of large-scale networks without overwhelming the infrastructure. sFlow is widely deployed in data centers and enterprise networks to detect anomalies, optimize traffic, and ensure security compliance.
Developers should learn sFlow when working on network management, security monitoring, or performance optimization in large-scale environments, as it helps identify bottlenecks, detect DDoS attacks, and analyze traffic patterns. It is particularly useful in cloud computing, data centers, and IoT deployments where real-time network insights are critical for maintaining reliability and efficiency.