*** README for Stager version 3.0 ***

ABOUT STAGER


This package contains Stager version 3.0. Stager is a GNU-licensed software package that was developed initially as a tool in the SCAMPI-project:  http://www.ist-scampi.org/ and released under the GPL license. The tool is designed to generate dynamic reports with network statistics at different time resolutions. It was originally built to work with NetFlow/IPfix statistics in mind but has now become a generic tool for presenting almost any type of network statistics.

It is divided in two parts, a backend and a frontend. The backend consists of PHP-scripts that collects network statistics from sources like Nfdump, flow-tools, Appmon etc. and stores them in a PostgreSQL database. 

The frontend is PHP-based and generates table reports and graphs using JpGraph using the data collected by the backend. The report views and criterion can be selected by users at runtime. Users can navigate easily between different time periods and time resolutions.

The Stager reports are fully customized, and their definitions is specified in an XML file. Out-of-the box the following reports are proved with Stager for Netflow based backends:
  * Destination Interface distribution
  * IP Protocol distribution
  * IP Type of Service distribution
  * IP Source Address
  * IP Destination Address
  * IP Source/Destination Matrix
  * Source AS
  * Destination AS
  * Source/Destination AS Matrix
  * Transport Layer Source Port distribution
  * Transport Layer Destination Port distribution
  * Summary Report

KEY FEATURES

  * Creates highly dynamic reports based on user selection criteria.
  * Support of drilling down in graphs with clientside image maps.
  * Highly customizable report configuration in database tables.
  * Sophisticated access control. Users and user groups can have limited access to reports or observation points.
  * Ability to distribute collection and processing on different hosts.
  * Basic security system, control access to data based on various criteria.
  * Easy navigation between various timeperiods.
  * Control of how much data should be stored per report on two levels; when collecting and after aggregation.
  * Uses Smarty PHP-templates to separate frontend visuals from logic.

  
MORE INFORMATION

For more information, documentation and screenshots, see the documentation located in the doc/ directory of this package. An online public version and homepage is also present at http://software.uninett.no/stager/ .


FEEDBACK

We provide no official support for using and installing Stager, but will be hosting a Stager mailing list at https://postlister.uninett.no/sympa/arc/stager . Please use this list to discuss and report bugs, problems etc.


AUTHORS

Stager was developed by Uninett AS (http://www.uninett.no/). Uninett supplies advanced Internet to research and education and has responsibility for the development, operation, co-ordination and standardisation of network solutions in Norway. The current deveolpers are Arne Øslebø and Sverre Sveum Moen. Previous developers include Andreas Åkre Solberg and Espen Breivik. 


UPDATED

14th Sept. 2007
