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NTA SQL Server Questions

Hey y`all,

I'm not that good at math but I'm trying to setup a Server on VM and would like to know how much storage I would need for my NTA SQL Server if I ran about 100 devices? According to the requirements located here:

https://support.solarwinds.com/Success_Center/Netflow_Traffic_Analyzer_(NTA)/What_are_the_requirements_for_NTA_4.x

•NTA Flow Storage Database:

◦Quad core 3GHz processor or better

◦16GB of RAM. To ensure optimal performance, RAM should be increased as the database size increases

◦20GB of storage capacity on a 7200 rpm local NTFS disk

◦8GB for every sustained 1000 flows/s with 30-days retention period

◦64-bit Windows Server 2003 SP2 or newer

Note: Itanium-based servers are not supported.

◦NTFS Required ◦Raid 0 or 1+0 supported.

•RAM: ◦Evaluation - 8 GB

◦Production - 16-128 GB

It states specifically:

◦20GB of storage capacity on a 7200 rpm local NTFS disk

◦8GB for every sustained 1000 flows/s with 30-days retention period

So does this mean initially I need at least 20GB of storage + 8GB for every 1000 flows/s? and if so, how many more storage would I need for 100 devices? If this depends on how much flows I have then to be on the safe side let's say the flows are above average. Anyone's input will be greatly appreciated.

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Accepted answers

kange0010

Answer:

Start off with about 50GB of storage since this can easily be changed when dealing with VMs. 20GB is the initial storage but the additional GB of storage will be needed for your 1000 flows/s. There is no exact answer how much flows all your devices will have but there will be a better understanding once it's up and running. Then you'll be able to monitor your network and analyze the data collected and from that you'll be able to make a better judgement on how much storage more storage may be needed.

All comments

kange0010

Answer:

mesverrum

Just in the interest of clarity, netflow does not use a SQL database anymore and hasn't in several years, it uses a database technology called fastbit.

50 GB should be a good starting estimate for 100 devices to hold 30 days, even with "above average" utilization. The Netflow data compresses super effectively and the majority of clients I work with end up with flow databases in the 10-20 gb range

jiri.prochazka

Just to clarify, NTA 4.4+ does use Microsoft SQL Server as Flow Storage (not Fastbit).

NetFlow Traffic Analyzer 4.5 Release Notes - SolarWinds Worldwide, LLC. Help and Support

mesverrum

Correct, a year of changes can make a big difference in the orion architecture, in 2017 and early 2018 we had fastbit, now (2019) we are back to MSsql with columnstore indexing Good to keep the posts updated.