NETSCOUT vTAP 6.3.5 For NSX-T 3.1 & 3.2

Products

• VMware NSX

Issue/Introduction

Purpose

NETSCOUT’s nGeniusONE solution provides service assurance and performance management functions across network, service, and application tiers. The solution uses a patented metadata model called Adaptive Service Intelligence (ASI) that is derived from IP packet flows in real-time.

The NSX-T version of vTAP is a service virtual machine (SVM) that includes NETSCOUT’s vSTREAM packet analysis product configured and optimized for traffic acquisition and forwarding. The NSX-T architecture includes interfaces that enable selected partner modules to access network traffic flowing into and out of VMs. The NETSCOUT NSX-T vTAP SVM uses these interfaces to efficiently and passively analyze the performance and health of applications running on the VMs. NSX-T provides a security policy framework that controls whether a copy of an individual VM’s packets is sent to the NETSCOUT NSX-T vTAP SVM.

Disclaimer: The partner product referenced in this article is a software module that is developed and supported by a partner. Use of this product is also governed by the end user license agreement of the partner. You must obtain from the partner the application, support, and licensing for using this product. For more information, see www.netscout.com .

Environment

VMware NSX-T Data Center 3.1/3.2

Resolution

NETSCOUT NSX-T vTAP SVM - 6.3.5

Supported software

The NSX-T vTAP SVM is one component of the NETSCOUT Service Assurance ecosystem. The NETSCOUT service assurance deployment requires at least one nGeniusONE server. The deployment may also include the following data sources and application servers in addition to the NSX-T vTAP SVM:
 

InfiniStream	Intelligent data source performing deep packet capture and analysis that deliver monitoring and continuous capture capabilities for real-time and back-in-time analysis.
vSTREAM Virtual Appliance	Virtualized InfiniStream
vSTREAM Agent	Lightweight packet analysis agent that is installed on VMs and other servers
nGenius Collector	Intelligent data source which collects metadata on IP SLA and IPPING protocols, flow data from NetFlow routers, link-level statistics, and utilization data from MIB-II routers
UC collectors	Intelligent data source, based on the nGenius Collector, supporting the analysis of audio and video records from Microsoft Lync Server / Skype for Business and Cisco CDR deployments.
nGeniusONE for Flows	An nGeniusONE server licensed specifically for monitoring flow collectors and MIB-II devices.
VMware NSX-T	3.1, 3.2
VMware vSphere	7.0.x

For more information on the additional supported software, see the Broadcom Compatibility Guide at https://compatibilityguide.broadcom.com/.

To download and install the NETSCOUT NSX-T vTAP SVM, please follow the steps below:

1. Create an account on the NETSCOUT MasterCare portal. All customers who purchased NETSCOUT products will be able to create account.
2. Download the NETSCOUT NSX-T vTAP SVM software and documentation from the product page; https://my.netscout.com/Pages/Overview.aspx
3. Follow the vTAP Installation Guide to install the NETSCOUT NSX-T vTAP SVM.

Support information

To troubleshoot issues in the NETSCOUT vTAP SVM, follow steps below.

1. Login to the vTAP SVM using provided credentials.
2. Navigate to, /opt/NetScout/rtm/log and check log files, log_file_<date>.log and log_file_db_<date>.log.
3. To collect logs from the vTAP SVM and PMC, collect the the entire /opt/NetScout/rtm/log directory (e.g., tar zcvf /opt/NetScout/logs.tgz /opt/NetScout/rtm/log)
4. To check the packets counters:

NETSCOUT offers support for its products through its MasterCare program. This includes the following for licensed products:

• 24x7 access to technical support
• One hour priority response to technical support calls
• Software and firmware updates for covered products
• User documentation
• Advanced replacement or onsite repair for hardware
• Registered access to the MasterCare Portal Subscriptions to the quarterly electronic
• MasterCare Newsletter and bulletins

 

NETSCOUT vTAP Software and Documentation

NETSCOUT vTAP software and documentation will be available for download to customers at: https://my.netscout.com/Pages/Overview.aspx

To upgrade existing vTAPs, follow the user guide which can be downloaded from the MasterCare portal.

Note: The NETSCOUT vTAP SVMs do not support upgrade via NSX APIs. To upgrade software on a NETSCOUT vTAP SVM, the upgrade procedure must be followed via PMC. For further details, please refer to vTAP software documentation.