Which visibility layer of the network protocol stack does QFlow correspond to?

QFlow corresponds to the L4 layer of the network protocol stack, also known as the Transport layer. This layer is crucial for managing the delivery of data packets between systems, handling protocols such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). By operating at this layer, QFlow can effectively gather and analyze network flow data, which is essential for monitoring traffic patterns, detecting anomalies, and enhancing security postures within the SIEM environment.

The focus on the Transport layer allows QFlow to scrutinize metadata about the communication between endpoints, including information about packet transmissions such as byte counts, session durations, and protocol types. This visibility is vital for understanding and optimizing network performance and security.

Other layers like the Application layer (L7) have a different focus and involve the interpretation of data at a higher, more complex level, such as HTTP or FTP transactions. Thus, they do not directly pertain to the flow-based analysis that is characteristic of QFlow’s functionality.