Abstract: A network captured traffic distribution device including a plurality of bi-directional ports, an egress port, a stacking port, and a processor is disclosed. The stacking port may be configured to enable the stacking of the network captured traffic distribution device with at least one additional network captured traffic distribution device in a stacked topology. The stacking may include, for example, an exchange of configuration information between the network captured traffic distribution device and an additional network captured traffic distribution device included in the stacked topology. Methods, systems, and apparatus for enabling the stacking of a network captured traffic distribution device to an additional network captured traffic distribution device in a stacked topology are also provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and devices for transmitting received captured traffic through a stacked topology of network captured traffic distribution devices are provided. An exemplary system may include a source of captured network traffic, a plurality of stacked network captured traffic distribution devices arranged in a stacked topology, and an external device. On some occasions, one or more of the network captured traffic distribution devices may be associated with unique IP address and the system may further include a web browser. The web browser may be enabled to communicate with each of the plurality of stacked network captured traffic distribution devices via their respective unique IP address.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and devices for filtering captured network traffic received by a network captured traffic distribution device communicatively coupled to a plurality of network captured network traffic distribution devices arranged in a stacked topology are described. Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and devices for applying a plurality of filters to received captured network traffic by a network captured traffic distribution device communicatively coupled to a plurality of network captured network traffic distribution devices arranged in a stacked topology are also described. Applying a plurality of filters to the received captured traffic may generate a plurality of filtered captured traffic sets. In some instances, filtered captured network traffic sets that have similar target destinations may be aggregated together and transmitted toward the target destination.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and devices for aggregating sets of received captured network traffic by a network captured traffic distribution device communicatively coupled to a plurality of network captured network traffic distribution devices arranged in a stacked topology are described. Systems for aggregating captured network traffic may include a source of captured network traffic, a plurality of stacked network captured traffic distribution devices arranged in a stacked topology such that each network captured traffic distribution device is communicatively coupled via a communication link with at least one additional stacked network captured traffic distribution device, and an external device. In some embodiments, one or more of the stacked network captured traffic distribution devices, source, and/or external device may operate at locations that are geographically disperse from one another.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and devices for determining an optimum route for the transmission of a received traffic flow of captured data packets from a network captured traffic distribution device, through a stacked topology of network captured traffic distribution devices, to a target destination are provided. A plurality of routes through a stacked topology may be determined and analyzed according to one or more criterion. An optimum route may then be selected based upon the analysis. On some occasions, the determination of an optimum route may incorporate information regarding operating conditions for the stacked topology.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and devices for monitoring a stacked topology of network captured traffic distribution devices and/or a device or network connected thereto are described. For example, a network captured traffic distribution device communicatively coupled to a plurality of network captured traffic distribution devices arranged in a stacked topology via a communication link may monitor a status of the stacked topology, a network captured traffic distribution device included in the stacked topology, a network communicatively coupled to the stacked topology, and/or a network device communicatively coupled to the stacked topology. Configuration information included in the network captured traffic distribution device may be updated responsively to the monitoring.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and devices for automatically configuring a network captured traffic distribution device communicatively coupled to a stacked topology of network captured traffic distribution devices are described. The automatic configuration may include an exchange of configuration information between a first and second network captured traffic distribution device included in a stacked topology. The configuration information of a network captured traffic distribution device may also be automatically updated when, for example, a change is detected in the stacked topology or on a periodic or as needed basis.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for generating a stacked topology of network captured traffic distribution devices and/or adding a network captured traffic distribution device to an existing stacked topology are described. A portion of configuration information associated with a first network captured traffic distribution device included in the stacked topology may be exchanged a second network captured traffic distribution device. In one embodiment, it may be determined whether there is a change in the stacked topology and/or a notification that there is a change in the stacked topology may be received by the first and/or second network captured traffic distribution device. The configuration information of the first and/or second network captured traffic distribution device, respectively, may then be updated responsively to the detected change or notification.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and devices for determining a target destination of captured network traffic received by a network captured traffic distribution device communicatively coupled to a plurality of network captured network traffic distribution devices arranged in a stacked topology responsively to an inserted virtual local area network (VLAN) tag are described. A target destination for a captured data packet may be determined and a VLAN tag may be inserted into the captured data packet responsively to the determined target destination. The data packet may then be transmitted to an intervening network captured traffic distribution device positioned between the network captured traffic distribution device and the target destination. Once received by the intervening network captured traffic distribution device, the target destination of the received data packet may be determined based on the inserted VLAN tag. The received data packet may then be transmitted toward the target destination.