Non-Reactive Hardware Tap for Network Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diagnosing and verifying the correct functioning of computer networks with safety requirements face challenges in recording data without reacting to the network, particularly in ensuring non-reactive data acquisition and remote access for diagnostic purposes, especially in safety-critical systems like railway systems.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a non-reactive, hardware-based tap and a read-only line to connect a data acquisition device to the network, allowing data to be recorded without influencing the network, and enables electronic access to the recorded data from a higher-level monitoring system, using an Ethernet TAP in switched Ethernet networks to replicate and forward data telegrams without reaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data are tapped and transmitted to an additional computer for diagnostic purposes, then remote access for diagnostics is enabled, but the network load increases and the original network functionality may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hardware-based tap as an intermediary device that physically connects to the network cable between the computer and network switch. This tap contains separate receive and monitor ports, allowing diagnostic data to be extracted through a dedicated monitor port without interfering with the primary data transmission path. The intermediary tap isolates the diagnostic function from the network communication function, resolving the contradiction between enabling remote diagnostics and maintaining network reliability.
2Measurement precision
If data are recorded and processed in real-time, then complete data capture is achieved, but the complexity of the data acquisition system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data capture and processing functions into separate, dedicated components within the hardware tap and additional computer. The tap itself is a simple passive device that only performs signal copying, while the additional computer handles all complex data processing, storage, and analysis tasks. This extraction of functions reduces the complexity of each individual component while maintaining complete data capture capability.
3Ease of operation
If the data acquisition device is connected directly to the network, then data access is simplified, but the network may be influenced or compromised by the acquisition device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network connection into distinct functional paths: a primary data transmission path through the network switch, and a separate monitoring path through the hardware tap's monitor port. This segmentation creates physical and functional isolation between the data acquisition device and the main network, allowing simplified data access through the monitor port while preventing the acquisition device from influencing or compromising network integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to be able to acquire, without feedback, data transmitted in a computer network (1) comprising at least one computer (2, 3, 4, 5), in a method for acquiring the transmitted data, said data is transmitted to an additional computer (19), the data being retrieved without feedback and being directed to a data acquisition device (22). The invention also relates to a data acquisition arrangement (37) for acquiring data from at least one computer (2, 3, 4, 5) in a computer network (1).