Event-Based Packet Capture Logic for Network Flow Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network technologies lack efficient methods for capturing and analyzing packets from network flows in response to specific triggering events, limiting the ability to detect and respond to network security breaches and other events of interest in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A network device configured to monitor network flows for predetermined triggering events, capture relevant packets or portions thereof, and export them to an analysis server for further inspection, utilizing event detection logic, capture logic, and export logic to facilitate continuous data capture and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If continuous packet capture from all network flows is performed, then comprehensive network analysis capability is improved, but network device performance and resource consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures triggering events and capture parameters before network traffic arrives. When a triggering event is detected, the capture logic is already prepared to immediately capture packets without processing delays, thus achieving comprehensive analysis capability while minimizing impact on device performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary packets related to triggering events from the overall network traffic flow. By selectively capturing only relevant packets rather than all packets, the system maintains comprehensive analysis capability for important events while significantly reducing the processing burden on network devices
2Productivity
If packet capture is performed only when triggering events occur, then network resource consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect security breaches and events of interest deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors network traffic for triggering events and uses this feedback to dynamically activate packet capture. This feedback mechanism ensures that packets are captured reliably when security breaches or events of interest occur, while maintaining resource efficiency during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-defines triggering events that indicate security breaches or events of interest before deployment. This preliminary configuration ensures that when such events occur, the capture logic can immediately and reliably capture relevant packets without missing critical security incidents
3Measurement precision
If more packets are captured for analysis, then event detection accuracy is improved, but the time required for data processing and export increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the specific packets related to triggering events from the network traffic. By capturing only relevant packets rather than all packets, the system achieves high event detection accuracy for security breaches while minimizing the volume of data that requires processing and export
Solution Approach 2:
The capture logic is pre-configured with capture parameters and event definitions. When triggering events occur, the system can immediately capture and export the predetermined number of packets without delay for configuration or parameter setting, thus achieving both high detection accuracy and fast processing
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for event-based data capture from network flows are provided. At a network device, a network flow is received that comprises a plurality of packets each comprising control information and data. The network flow is monitored for the occurrence of at least one predetermined triggering event. In response to detecting the triggering event, at least a portion of one or more of the packets received after the triggering event is captured, and the captured portion is exported to an analysis server. The network device may comprise any device configured to forward flows of packets such as, for example, switches, routers, firewalls, etc.