Abstract: A method monitors data traffic between control devices of a motor vehicle. In the method, at least one data pattern of a packet type and/or data content to be monitored and/or detected is stored in an associative memory such that in response to input data, which contains the respective data pattern, an associated hit signal is generated by the associative memory, and a network processor reads out detection data from received data packets in predetermined monitoring positions and forms input data for the associative memory therefrom. The network processor examines whether a hit signal results by inputting the input data into the associative memory, and a microprocessor recognizes based on transmission schedule data, which describes an intended transmission scheme of the control devices, by a predetermined comparison routine whether the hit signals deviate from the transmission scheme.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a data network in a motor vehicle is provided, wherein a switch device is operated in the data network, in which physical ports for receiving and for transmitting data packets are interconnected via a switch circuit. A network processor reads out detection data in monitoring positions of the data packets and forms pseudo target determination data for an associative memory therefrom, which actually is to process target determination data for a target port determination, and it is examined if certain action data results, which signalizes a necessity of a detection action, by inputting the pseudo target determination data into the associative memory.