Deployable linear bitwise protocol transformation
View Patent ↗The present application is directed to a networked apparatus including a non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon for generating network traffic based upon a linear representation of a predetermined protocol. The apparatus also includes a processor operably coupled to the non-transitory memory and the listening tool. The processor is configured to perform the instructions of spawning a finite state machine based upon the linear representation of the predefined protocol. The processor is also configured to perform the instructions of sending data of the finite state machine to an endpoint to screen the network traffic. The processor is also configured to perform the instructions of receiving the screened network traffic from the endpoint based upon the finite state machine. The application is also directed to a method for testing network traffic.
1. A computer-implemented method for generating a linear representation of a protocol on a network comprising the steps of:
receiving, via a packet analyzer, a packet capture file or specification from the network;
selecting the protocol from the packet capture file or specification based upon predetermined criteria;
sending the selected protocol to a protocol generator that parses information of the protocol for characterization;
outputting the linear representation of the protocol based upon the parsed information;
spawning a finite state machine (FSM) including the linear representation of the protocol;
sending the FSM having a state transition to a network node; and
dynamically altering the state transition and modifying the linear representation of the protocol without rebooting the network node,
wherein a state transition of the FSM changes one or more of a message header, timer and payload.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the linear representation is output onto a graphical user interface or a file.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the information includes one or more of direction, stack layer, header format, alignment, encoding attributes, special characters, finite state machine identifiers for nodes and edges, finite state machine message header values, finite state machine timer values, finite state machine payload values, state of the finite state machine, control structures, counters, time intervals, integrity, system and constraints.
4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the state of the FSM is selected from the group consisting of static, ability to be further parsed or retrieved, association with an application on the FSM, and empty content.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the protocol generator is located on a virtual machine.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the linear representation of the protocol is independent of an application on the FSM.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
sending the finite state machine to the network node.