Time Machine Network Tap with Packet Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network taps lack storage capability and efficient data management, making it difficult to analyze and resolve issues related to 'bad' data packets, and they are unable to maintain network links during power disruptions, leading to potential financial losses.
Innovation Solution
A time machine device is introduced, equipped with a pre-processing module, processors, storage memory, and an export component, capable of capturing, filtering, encrypting, and storing data packets, and maintaining network links through zero-delay arrangements, allowing for efficient data analysis and minimizing disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network taps are configured as bypass devices without storage capability, then data packets can flow through the network environment, but the network tap is unable to provide useful information when problems arise with 'bad' data packets
Solution Approach 1:
The network tap performs preliminary action by capturing and storing data packets before they are forwarded through the network. The storage component saves copies of data packets at the time they pass through the tap, enabling later retrieval and analysis when problems occur, thus preventing information loss while maintaining normal network flow.
2Device complexity
If network taps do not have storage capability, then the device complexity remains low, but the ability to analyze and resolve issues related to 'bad' data packets is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the storage functionality from the traditional network tap design by adding a dedicated storage component that operates independently. This allows the tap to maintain its simple bypass structure while simultaneously capturing data packets for later analysis, separating the monitoring function from the storage function to minimize complexity increase.
3Productivity
If conventional network taps are used without storage, then data traffic can pass through efficiently, but financial losses may occur due to inability to maintain network links during power disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The network tap incorporates a storage component that acts as a cushion during power disruptions. When power is lost, the stored data packets can be used to maintain network link functionality or provide backup information, preventing financial losses from link failures while continuing to allow data traffic to pass through during normal operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A time machine arrangement for performing health check on a network environment is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports that that is configured for receiving and outputting network data traffic. The arrangement also includes a monitoring port for receiving at least a portion of the data traffic flowing through the network. The arrangement further includes a set of processors configured at least for managing and analyzing the data traffic. The set of processors includes a scheduler component for directing the data traffic, a filtering component for applying a set of filters on the set data traffic, an encryption component for encrypting the data traffic, and a trigger component for defining a set of conditions for storing the data traffic. The arrangement yet also includes a storage memory component for storing a copy of at least the portion of the data traffic flowing through the network environment.