Media slice tracking in a communications network

A remote capture server for tracking a media slice through at least part of a communications network comprising a plurality of network elements, the remote capture server comprising a memory and a processor, the memory storing thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the remote capture server to perform operations comprising:

• inspect a first payload of a first data packet observed at an egress capture point of a first network element;
• inspect a second payload of a second data packet observed at an ingress capture point of a second network element;
• compare the first payload with the second payload;
• associate the first data packet with the second data packet in response to determining that the first payload and the second payload are the same;
• wherein
• the first and second data packets correspond to a first media slice when the first and second data packets are associated;
• inspect a third payload and/or metadata of a third data packet observed at the ingress capture point of the second network element;
• inspect a fourth payload or metadata of a fourth data packet observed at the egress capture point of the second network element;
• compare the third payload or metadata of the third data packet with the fourth payload or metadata of the fourth data packet;
• associate the third data packet with the fourth data packet in response to determining the third payload or metadata of the third data packet and the fourth payload or metadata of the fourth data packet are the same;
• wherein
• the third and fourth data packets correspond to a second media slice when the third and fourth data packets are associated;
• in response to determining that the second data packet and the third data packet are the same:
• associate the first, second or third, and fourth data packets;
• and
• record the first and second media slices as a common media slice;
• and
• in response to determining that the second data packet and the third data packet are not the same data packet:
• record the first and second media slices as different media slices.

A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations for tracking a media slice through at least part of a communications network comprising a plurality of network elements, the operations comprising:

• inspecting a first payload of a first data packet observed at an egress capture point of a first network element;
• inspecting a second payload of a second data packet observed at an ingress capture point of a second network element;
• comparing the first payload with the second payload;
• associating the first data packet with the second data packet in response to determining that the first payload and the second payload are the same;
• wherein
• the first and second data packets correspond to a first media slice when the first data packet with the second data packet are associated;
• inspecting a third payload or metadata of a third data packet observed at the ingress capture point of the second network element;
• inspecting a fourth payload or metadata of a fourth data packet observed at the egress capture point of the second network element;
• comparing the third payload or metadata of the third data packet with the fourth payload or metadata of the fourth data packet;
• associating the third data packet with the fourth data packet in response to determining the third payload or metadata of the third data packet and the fourth payload or metadata of the fourth data packet are the same;
• wherein
• the third and fourth data packets correspond to a second media slice when the third and fourth data packets are associated;
• in response to determining that the second data packet and the third data packet are the same:
• associating the first, second or third, and fourth data packets;
• and
• recording the first and second media slices as a common media slice;
• and
• in response to determining that the second data packet and the third data packet are not the same:
• recording the first and second media slices as different media slices.