Using the flow-sync command in vRealize Network Insight

Products

• VMware Aria Operations for Networks

Issue/Introduction

As vCenter can only send flows to a single vRealize Network Insight instance, the flow-sync command can be used to copy flows from a Proxy in one vRealize Network Insight instance to a Proxy in another vRealize Network Insight  instance.

Use-case Examples:

• Interest in EFT (Engineering Field Trial) for a new feature. Flows of a Production vRealize Network Insight instance can be sent to a EFT vRealize Network Insight installation.
• Moving to SaaS from on-prem. The on-prem install should work as-is while the SaaS setup is configured for a period of 30 days. This will require flows to be sent to both installations.

Environment

VMware vRealize Network Insight 5.2.x
VMware vRealize Network Insight 5.x
VMware vRealize Network Insight 4.x
VMware vRealize Network Insight 5.1.x

Resolution

The flow-sync command is available in vRealize Network Insight 5.2 and later.
To install the flow-sync command in vRealize Network Insight 4.2, 5.0, or 5.1, follow Add flow-sync to vRealize Network Insight 4.2 - 5.1.


To use the flow-sync command, fist identify the Sender Proxy, and the Receiver Proxy.
Sender Proxy:

• This is the vRealize Network Insight Proxy which is already receiving flows from vCenter/NSX.
• This Proxy can copy flows to another vRealize Network Insight Proxy.

Receiver Proxy:

• vRealize Network Insight Proxy in the EFT, SaaS, or second install will become the Receiver.

 

1. Once the Proxy roles are identified, log into the Receiver Proxy as consoleuser via SSH or Console.
2. Run the command below to start the receiving process:

flow-sync start receiver --sender-ip=proxy_sender_IP

Note: Replace proxy_sender_IP with the IP address of the Sender Proxy.
Example: flow-sync start receiver --sender-ip=192.168.3.40

3. Note the secret key given by the output of the previous command.
4. Now, log into the Sender Proxy as consoleuser via SSH or Console.
5. Run the command below to start the sending process:

flow-sync start sender --secret secret_key

Note: Replace secret_key with the secret key noted in step 3.
Example: flow-sync start sender --secret secret_key

Additional Information

The below flags can be given to the flow-sync command for additional options.

Flag	Description	Notes
flow-sync status	Check the status of the flow sync.	Can be run on Sender and Receiver Proxies.
flow-sync logs	Show flow sync operation logs.	Can be run on Sender and Receiver Proxies.
flow-sync stop	Stop the flow sync process.	Must be run on Sender and Receiver Proxies.