Method and apparatus for managing content distribution using content signatures

摘要

A method and apparatus for managing packet flow based on content signatures are disclosed. A process of netflow management, in one embodiment, is able to receive a packet flow traveling through a communications network and obtain a signature from the packet flow. Upon retrieving a predefined signature from storage in accordance with the signature, the signature and the predefined signature are compared. A message of unauthorized distribution associated with the packet flow is issued when bit pattern of the signature matches with bit pattern of the predefined signature.

主权项

1. A method for monitoring network traffic traveling through a router coupled to a communication network, the communication network containing a plurality of network elements capable of transmitting data between network devices, the method comprising:
receiving a predefined first signature from a first subscriber over the communication network and storing the predefined first signature; detecting a first packet flow traveling through the router to its destination via a content-based monitoring process; extracting a plurality of bits representing a first signature identifying content of the first packet flow from a predefined location the first packet flow; retrieving the predefined first signature from a storage in accordance with the first signature; comparing the first signature with the predefined first signature; facilitating an issuance of a message indicating unauthorized distribution associated with the first packet flow when bit pattern of the first signature matches with bit pattern of the predefined first signature; facilitating to prevent the first packet flow from traveling to its destination in accordance with the message of unauthorized distribution; and generating a report indicating accumulative statistics of data streams traveling through the communications network and providing a market analysis in accordance with recorded data relating packet flows traveling through the communications network.