Configuring the Flow Processor Format
SUMMARY Flow collectors can export data to flow processors in either TLV (type-length-value) or Payload format.
The TLV format stores the content metadata properties in the flow record, and can be searched without extra configuration in JSA.
The payload format stores the content metadata properties in the payload field of the flow record. To run searches on the data, you must use custom properties to extract the data from the payload.
Before you configure the format that the Flow Collector uses, ensure that you complete the following tasks:
- Install a JSA Console with a Network Insights appliance attached as a managed host.
- Perform a full deployment after you attach the Network Insights appliance as a managed host.
Content extension v1.3.0 introduced support for TLV fields, which supersedes earlier content extensions that were based on custom properties. If you are using content extension v1.3.0 or later, you must set the flow collector format to TLV; otherwise the rules in the content pack don't work.