Packet Recorders from NextComputing Add New REST API, Higher Performance Capture

NextComputing, developer of high-performance data capture solutions, has announced a major update to its Continuum PCAP platform. Continuum PCAP is a high-speed packet capture appliance that offers full line-rate network recording at an affordable price, while also being scalable and customizable for a variety of uses. With the addition of a REST API, OEM’s, integrators, IT professionals, and software developers can integrate their own tools with the platform to create robust network monitoring solutions and application specific appliances. Further enhancements have also been introduced to capture higher data rates and to utilize multiple capture ports.

Continuum PCAP solves a growing problem in the enterprise and network infrastructure where organizations are struggling to find ways to capture more traffic to solve security and network performance problems. As data flows increase, simply monitoring ports for predefined events is no longer sufficient – organizations must be able to record all the traffic coming through the network at multiple points in order to fully understand what is happening and respond appropriately. Current tools either do not capture all packets, are too expensive to implement on a large scale, or don’t easily integrate with other applications.

By bridging the gap between costly proprietary systems and open source “DIY” solutions, Continuum PCAP sets a new standard for packet capture that is at once powerful, open, and cost-effective. Now with a web-based REST API, developers can interface their own applications and services to the system’s powerful capture engine, creating new solutions to filter, analyze and act upon this deep packet intelligence. Rather than build a complete capture and analysis product from the ground up, NextComputing works with developers to layer their applications on top of Continuum PCAP’s high-performance capture framework.

Depending on a customer’s workflow requirements the Continuum PCAP can be used as both a high-speed data recorder for short time periods or as a long-term capture storage solution with the ability simultaneously search, extract, and copy packets to outside storage while the system continuously records. This latest update includes performance enhancements aimed at making it easier to search and retrieve data while capturing. Most notable is the ability to now capture at up to 9.25Gbps with simultaneous search and extraction of packets, as well as concurrent dual-port capture capability up to 20Gbps if no searching is required.

Example workflows include:

• Dual port 10Gbps capture at up to 20Gbps aggregate line-rate with no packet loss and post-capture search capability
• Single port 10Gbps capture at up to 10Gbps line-rate with no packet loss and post-capture search capability
• Dual port 10Gbps capture at up to 9.25Gbps with no packet loss and simultaneous packet search, extraction, and copy functionality
• Single port10Gbps capture at up to 5Gbps with no packet loss and simultaneous packet search, extraction, and copy functionality
• Real-time packet search, extraction and copy using BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) strings

Continuum PCAP is available as a turnkey appliance in several form-factors including 3U rackmount and portable. OEM services are available including support, customization, and private labeling.