Banner
Packet Tracking software
Distributed network supervision

Nowadays an increasing number of sophisticated network applications (such as multimedia and gaming) demand a high level of quality of service (QoS) from the network, for example small latencies and low packet loss. In order to supervise the fulfillment of such demands, a deeper understanding of the network and what happens within it is required.

OneLab offers a distributed network surveillance solution for tracking the paths of data packets through networks. Users can download and install a Packet Tracking software package, which allows them to “track” packets in the network and answer enquiries related to routes followed by any given “multi-hop” packet through the network, packet delays and losses between nodes, service chains used by some data traffic, cross traffic influence, and network QoS on the specific network links.

fokus_net_24082010
Map showing a Packet Tracking scenario involving different nodes from testbeds such as VINI, G-Lab, PlanetLab and others.

Multi-hop Packet Tracking uses a non-intrusive coordinated sampling method (specified in RFC5475) to show the hop-by-hop path and transmission quality of data packets from arbitrary applications. The Packet Tracking solution provides a means to verify (multipath) routing and overlay experiments and supply input to adaptive network algorithms, security applications and the supervision of service-level agreements.

Benefits of Packet Tracking software:
  • Coordinated hash-based sampling 
    > A random but coordinated selection of observed data packets at multiple observation points which are tracked throughout the network.
  • Resource control with sampling rate adaptation
    > Packet rates can be adapted according to the current available resources (CPU, RAM, bandwidth, etc.).
  • Standardized IPFIX data export 
    > Using the IPFIX protocol, the IETF standard for exporting packet and flow level measurement data.
  • Open-source software for Linux/ embedded systems
    > The measurement probes are open source and freely available.
Install Packet Tracking right away:
  • Download the packet tracking software package here
  • The measurement probe impd4e is available on sourceforge
  • A video showing the instantiation and use of the packet tracking system can be found here
A comprehensive installation and user guide at www.fokus.fraunhofer.de/go/track. For further information you can also contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .