High speed acquisition system that allows capture from a packet network and streams the data to a storage medium

A method to stream data packets, the method comprising:

• using a buffer to store a plurality of data packets until transmission;
• before using the buffer, using a filter to perform pattern matching and filtering;
• before using the filter to perform pattern matching and filtering, using a line interface to extract the data Dackets. wherein usinci the line interface to extract data packets includes adding a length indicator to each packet, classifying the data packet, and adding a timestamp to the data packet;
• using a macro-packet transmitter to generate macro-packets from the stored plurality of data packets and transmit the macro-packets using a UDP mode that includes a predetermined re-transmit and flow control protocol;
• and
• streaming the macro-packets to a computer/server and a storage device in real time and retransmitting respective macro-packets of the stream of macro-packets via the re-transmit and flow control protocol in accordance with a request from the computer/server.

A computer readable medium, excluding carrier waves, having recorded thereon computer readable instructions to stream data packets, the instructions comprising:

• instructions to cause a computer system to store a plurality of data packets in a buffer until transmission;
• instructions to cause the computer system to, before storing the plurality of data packets in the buffer, filter the plurality of data packets to perform pattern matching and filtering:
• instructions to cause the computer system to, before filtering to perform pattern matching and filtering, use a line interface to extract data packets, wherein extracting the data packets includes at least one of:
• extracting the packets directly;
• extracting the packets via ML reassembly;
• or
• adding a length indicator to each packet, classifying the data packet, and adding a timestamp to the data packet;
• instructions to cause the computer system to form macro-packets from the plurality of data packets and transmitting the macro-packets in a UDP mode that utilizes a predetermined re-transmit and flow control protocol, and has stored UDP headers of the macro-packets;
• and
• instructions to cause the computer system to stream macro-packets to a computer/server and a storage device in real time, and retransmitting respective macro-packets of the stream of macro-packets via the re-transmit and flow control protocol in accordance with a request from the computer/server.