Network monitor and method
First Claim
1. A network monitor that taps data from a network link between two network devices, the network monitor comprising:
- first and second interfaces that allow the network monitor to be connected in-line in a network link between two network devices and to receive serial data therefrom and to transmit serial data thereto, each interface providing for serial-to-parallel conversion of data such that serial data received from a said network link at the interface is output as parallel data, and each interface providing for parallel-to-serial conversion of data such that parallel data received at the interface is output as serial data for transmission to a said network link; and
, first and second programmable logic devices, the first programmable logic device being arranged to receive parallel data output by the first interface and to process said data for network analysis purposes, the second programmable logic device being arranged to receive parallel data output by the second interface and to process said data for network analysis purposes, each programmable logic device being controllable so as to selectively pass a copy of the received parallel data to the other programmable logic device so that the network monitor can operate in in-line mode and not to pass a copy of the received parallel data to the other programmable logic device so that the network monitor can operate in end station mode, the second programmable logic device being arranged to pass the copy of the parallel data received from the first programmable logic device to the second interface for parallel-to-serial conversion and for transmission of the serial data back to a said network link when the network monitor is operating in in-line mode, the first programmable logic device being arranged to pass the copy of the parallel data received from the second programmable logic device to the first interface for parallel-to-serial conversion and for transmission of the serial data back to a said network link when the network monitor is operating in in-line mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network monitor that taps data from a network link has first and second interfaces that allow the network monitor to be connected in-line in the network link between two network devices. The monitor has first and second programmable logic devices. The programmable logic devices are arranged to receive parallel data output by the interfaces and to process said data for network analysis purposes. Each programmable logic device is controllable so as to selectively pass a copy of the received parallel data to the other programmable logic device so that the network monitor can operate in in-line mode and not to pass a copy of the received parallel data to the other programmable logic device so that the network monitor can operate in end station mode.
21 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A network monitor that taps data from a network link between two network devices, the network monitor comprising:
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first and second interfaces that allow the network monitor to be connected in-line in a network link between two network devices and to receive serial data therefrom and to transmit serial data thereto, each interface providing for serial-to-parallel conversion of data such that serial data received from a said network link at the interface is output as parallel data, and each interface providing for parallel-to-serial conversion of data such that parallel data received at the interface is output as serial data for transmission to a said network link; and
,first and second programmable logic devices, the first programmable logic device being arranged to receive parallel data output by the first interface and to process said data for network analysis purposes, the second programmable logic device being arranged to receive parallel data output by the second interface and to process said data for network analysis purposes, each programmable logic device being controllable so as to selectively pass a copy of the received parallel data to the other programmable logic device so that the network monitor can operate in in-line mode and not to pass a copy of the received parallel data to the other programmable logic device so that the network monitor can operate in end station mode, the second programmable logic device being arranged to pass the copy of the parallel data received from the first programmable logic device to the second interface for parallel-to-serial conversion and for transmission of the serial data back to a said network link when the network monitor is operating in in-line mode, the first programmable logic device being arranged to pass the copy of the parallel data received from the second programmable logic device to the first interface for parallel-to-serial conversion and for transmission of the serial data back to a said network link when the network monitor is operating in in-line mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13)
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9. A method of monitoring data on a network link, the method comprising:
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receiving data in serial form from a network link;
converting the data in serial form to data in parallel form;
passing the parallel data to a first programmable logic device for processing for network analysis purposes;
controlling the first programmable logic device such that the method takes place selectively in in-line mode or in end station mode, whereby in in-line mode the first programmable logic device provides a copy of the received parallel data, the copy of the received parallel data being converted to data in serial form, said serial data being transmitted back onto the network link, and whereby in end station mode the first programmable logic device does not provide a copy of the received parallel data for conversion into serial form and transmission back onto the network link. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification