Packet capturing system, packet capturing apparatus and method

A packet capturing apparatus configured to be coupled to a network, the capturing apparatus comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory configured to:
• store, into a storage device, a first mirror packet which is generated by mirroring a first packet transmitted in the network, the first mirror packet being stored in another storage device of another capturing apparatus configured to be coupled to the network,
• determine whether the another capturing apparatus is in an operation state or a non-operation state,
• delete, when the another capturing apparatus is determined to be in the operation state, the first mirror packet stored in the storage device, and
• store into the another storage device, when the another capturing apparatus is in the non-operation state, a second mirror packet generated by mirroring a second packet transmitted in the network, while maintaining the first mirror packet stored in the storage device.

A method of capturing a plurality of packets through a network, the method comprising:

• storing, by a capturing apparatus coupled to the network, into a storage device, a first mirror packet which is generated by mirroring a first packet transmitted in the network;
• determining whether another capturing apparatus is in an operation state or a non-operation state, the another capturing apparatus being coupled to the network and storing the first mirror packet into another storage device while the another capturing apparatus is in the operation state;
• deleting by the capturing apparatus, when the capturing apparatus determines the another capturing apparatus is in the operation state, the first mirror packet stored in the storage device;
• and
• storing into the another storage device, when the capturing apparatus determines the another capturing apparatus is in the non-operation state, a second mirror packet generated by mirroring a second packet transmitted in the network, while maintaining the first mirror packet stored in the storage device.