---
description: Definitions for terms used across Network Flow documentation.
title: Glossary
image: https://developers.cloudflare.com/og-docs.png
---

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# Glossary

Last updated Aug 24, 2026|Copy as Markdown|[View as Markdown](https://e8aee267.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/network-flow/glossary/index.md)|[Agent setup](https://e8aee267.previews.developers.cloudflare.com/agent-setup/)

Review the definitions for terms used across Cloudflare's Network Flow (formerly Magic Network Monitoring) documentation.

| Term      | Definition                                                                                                                                |
| --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| flow data | Represents records of communication between devices. There are a number of flow data protocols, such as NetFlow or sFlow.                 |
| NetFlow   | Network protocol developed by Cisco to collect and monitor network traffic flow data.                                                     |
| sampling  | In the context of Network Flow, sampling is the process of taking samples of packets for a specific period to identify potential attacks. |
| sFlow     | An industry standard packet sampling protocol to monitor network devices.                                                                 |

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