Patent ID: 8315256
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of filtering packets using a packet switch appliance connected to a packet-switching network, wherein the packet switch appliance includes a plurality of ports, wherein one of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first network port connected to the packet-switching network, wherein another of the plurality of ports is configured to operate as a first instrument port connected to a network instrument, the method comprising: determining a negotiated port number; examining one or more packets or copies of packets received through the first network port prior to the packets or copies of packets being sent out the first instrument port to determine a current state of a state-based protocol, wherein the state-based protocol includes a plurality of potential states, and wherein the current state of the state-based protocol is determined by the packet switch appliance; and dynamically creating or modifying a filter at the packet switch appliance for the first instrument port based on the determined negotiated port number and the current state of the state-based protocol determined by the packet switch appliance; wherein the act of dynamically creating or modifying the filter at the packet switch appliance comprises setting or adjusting one or more values of one or more filter criteria, and wherein the one or more filter criteria is for filtering based on the negotiated port number.