A NAM, or Network Analysis Module, provides (as described by industry leader Cisco Systems) integrated network monitoring services within a switch. The NAM, for example the WS-SVC-NAM-1, collects network traffic statistics for real-time traffic analysis, performance monitoring, and troubleshooting. In the Cisco Catalyst 6500 series, the NAM analyzes and monitors levels of network traffic using remote monitoring, RMON extensions designed for switched networks (SMON), as well as other management information bases (MIBs). This combination allows the NAM to closely monitor traffic on the network.
Using Gigabit Ethernet,Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, trunk port, or RSPAN source port or Fast EtherChannel SPAN, the NAM analyzes Ethernet VLAN traffic from the aforementioned sources. What use is the data collected by the Network Analysis Module? The collected data is used for performance monitoring, real-time traffic analysis, and of course, troubleshooting.