Multi-protocol monitor

A method for monitoring information traffic through a traffic link transmitting first and second differing information signals each having a plurality of information layers and first and second pluralities of information packets in a monitoring system having monitoring circuitry and including processor circuitry and a server operating cooperatively with said monitoring circuitry, said method comprising the steps of:

• segmenting said information packets of said first and second pluralities of information packets into information cells to provide corresponding first and second pluralities of information cells;
• interspersing said information cells of said first and second pluralities of information cells with each other to provide interspersed first and second information cells;
• intercepting a portion of said interspersed first and second information cells to provide intercepted interspersed information cells using an interceptor coupled to said traffic link;
• stripping an information layer from said intercepted interspersed information cells by said monitoring circuitry to provide a remaining information signal including portions of said intercepted interspersed information cells;
• reassembling said intercepted interspersed information packets of at least one of said first and second pluralities of information packets within said remaining information signal to provide a plurality of reassembled information packets by said processor circuitry;
• performing an analysis on said plurality of reassembled information packets by said server;
• and
• coupling said monitoring circuitry to said server by means of an accelerated graphics port.

A system for monitoring information traffic through a traffic link transmitting first and second differing information signals each having a plurality of information layers and first and second pluralities of information packets in a monitoring system having monitoring circuitry and including processor circuitry and a server operating cooperatively with said monitoring circuitry, said system comprising:

• corresponding first and second pluralities of information cells formed by segmenting said information packets of said first and second pluralities of information packets into information cells;
• interspersed first and second information cells formed by interspersing said information cells of said first and second pluralities of information cells with each other;
• an interceptor coupled to said traffic link for intercepting a portion of said interspersed first and second information cells to provide intercepted interspersed information cells;
• a remaining information signal including portions of said intercepted interspersed information cells formed by stripping an information layer from said intercepted interspersed information cells by said monitoring circuitry;
• a plurality of reassembled information packets formed by said processor circuitry according to said intercepted interspersed information packets of at least one of said first and second pluralities of information packets within said remaining information signal;
• and
• an analysis performed by said server on said plurality of reassembled information packets.

A system for monitoring information traffic through a traffic link transmitting first and second differing information signals each having a plurality of information layers and first and second pluralities of information packets in a monitoring system having monitoring circuitry and including processor circuitry and a server operating cooperatively with said monitoring circuitry, said system comprising

• corresponding first and second pluralities of information cells formed by segmenting said information packets of said first and second pluralities of information packets into information cells;
• interspersed first and second information cells formed by interspersing said information cells of said first and second pluralities of information cells with each other;
• an interceptor coupled to said traffic link for intercepting a portion of said interspersed first and second information cells to provide intercepted interspersed information cells;
• a remaining information signal including portions of said intercepted interspersed information cells formed by stripping an information layer from said intercepted interspersed information cells by said monitoring circuitry;
• a plurality of reassembled information packets formed by said processor circuitry according to said intercepted interspersed information packets of at least one of said first and second pluralities of information packets within said remaining information signal;
• an analysis performed by said server on said plurality of reassembled information packets;
• and
• an accelerated graphics port for coupling said monitoring circuitry to said server.