sudo yum groupinstall "Development Tools" sudo yum install libpcap-devel glib2-devel libfixbuf-devel libfixbuf is critical – it’s the IPFIX library YAF uses. Step 3: Compile and Install ./configure make sudo make install To verify the installation:
If you’re diving into network security monitoring, NetFlow generation, or deep packet inspection, you’ve likely come across YAF (Yet Another Flowmeter) . YAF is a powerful tool that converts raw packet data into bidirectional IP flow records (IPFIX), making it an essential component for tools like SiLK (System for Internet-Level Knowledge).
yaf --in capture.pcap --out yaf-output --ipfix yaf extractor download
sudo apt-get install build-essential libpcap-dev libglib2.0-dev libfixbuf-dev
tar -xzvf yaf-2.14.0.tar.gz cd yaf-2.14.0 Before compiling, install required libraries: sudo yum groupinstall "Development Tools" sudo yum install
yaf --version You should see output like: yaf (Yet Another Flowmeter) version 2.14.0 Once installed, test it on a live interface or a pcap file:
Once YAF is running, you can feed its IPFIX output directly into SiLK for historical analysis, or into a SIEM for real-time alerting. yaf --in capture
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install yaf For , enable EPEL and install:
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to download, compile, and install the YAF extractor on a Linux system. YAF is not your average flow tool. Unlike NetFlow exporters that rely on sampling, YAF processes every packet to produce accurate, lossless flow data. It’s designed for security analysts who need high-fidelity records. Step 1: Downloading YAF You have two main options: pre-built packages or compiling from source. Option A: Pre-built Packages (Easiest) For Ubuntu/Debian , YAF is available via the CERT NetSA repository:
Have you tried using YAF with other tools like Elasticsearch or Splunk? Let me know in the comments below. Happy flow analysis!