Network Interface Packet Capture Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packet capture devices are expensive, inefficient, and introduce jitter and congestion due to the need for duplicate data flows and complex network architectures, failing to accurately measure jitter in parent data flows and requiring high-end link technologies to handle converged data flows.
Innovation Solution
A network interface device with a packet capture unit that generates timestamps, duplicates data flows, and processes them into a packet capture data stream, which is delivered over a data bus interface with lower priority, allowing for storage and replay of data packets with precise timing, eliminating the need for expensive switches and minimizing latency and jitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional packet capture devices use high-speed switches to duplicate data flows, then packet capture capability is achieved, but network cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the packet capture functionality from the main network data path by implementing a separate capture interface that taps into the network interface controller. This allows packet capture operations to be performed independently without requiring complex switch-based duplication architectures, thereby reducing network complexity while maintaining capture reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface controller is designed to perform both primary network communication and packet capture functions through a unified architecture. The controller can simultaneously handle data flows to endpoints and duplicate flows for capture devices, eliminating the need for separate dedicated capture hardware and reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If duplicate data flows are routed through switches, then packet capture is enabled, but jitter measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network interface controller into distinct functional units: a capture interface unit that handles packet capture operations and a main data path unit that handles primary network communication. This segmentation allows the capture unit to obtain duplicate flows directly from the controller without routing through external switches, ensuring that jitter measurements reflect only the intended data path characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The network interface controller acts as an intermediary that internally generates and provides duplicate data flows to the capture device. This internal duplication mechanism eliminates the need for external switch-based duplication, ensuring that the duplicate flows traverse the same network path as the parent flows and enabling accurate jitter measurement
3Productivity
If packet capture devices aggregate multiple data flows, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but high-end link technologies and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the packet capture functionality with the existing network interface controller infrastructure. By utilizing the controller's existing data bus interface and processing capabilities, the system can monitor multiple data flows without requiring separate high-end link technologies. The capture device leverages the controller's internal resources to aggregate and monitor flows, reducing overall system cost and complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A network interface device for connection between a host data processing device supporting a consumer process and a network, the network interface device comprising: a data bus interface; a controller for supporting communication with a host data processing device over the data bus interface; and a packet capture unit located between the controller and the network and comprising: a packet inspector configured to parse incoming data packets so as to identify data packets belonging to a first data flow; a duplication engine configured to generate a duplicate data flow from the first data flow; and a packet capture engine configured to process said duplicate data flow into a packet capture data stream having a predefined format; wherein the network interface device is configured to cause: the first data flow to be made available to a consumer process of a host data processing device to which the network interface device is connected; and the processed packet capture data stream to be stored at a packet capture buffer.