Device identification systems and methods
Systems and methods herein log traffic to and from a device on a network. Logging can occur using a metering device, router, proxy, or other elements. For example, a metering device operatively coupled to a routing device can log the traffic directed to and originating from a user device. Logged traffic can be analyzed to identify users, devices, and/or sessions. For example, an identifier unique to the user device in the session, a device type of the user device, and a specific user of the device during the session can be identified.
1. A method for collecting traffic data on a network, the method comprising:
receiving, at a metering device in communication with a routing device, traffic information associated with traffic to and from a user device,
wherein the metering device, the routing device, and a plurality of user devices including the user device are location in the same premises, wherein the traffic information includes an origin of the traffic, a destination of the traffic, and a time stamp of the traffic, wherein the traffic information is associated with a plurality of sessions, and wherein the routing device provides the user device with connectivity to an external network;
determining, based on a control, to capture a first part of the traffic information and not to capture a second part of the traffic information;
receiving, at the metering device and from the user device, one or more parameters;
transmitting, from the metering device and to a third-party server, the first part of the traffic information that is captured; and
associating, based on the one or more parameters, a user of the user device with a session of the plurality of sessions.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters include at least one of a device identifier of the user device or a user identifier of the user.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein associating the user with the session comprises associating the user associated with the user identifier included in the one or more parameters with the session.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the user identifier is at least one of an email address associated with the user or sign-in information associated with the user.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein associating the user with the session comprises associating the user associated with the device identifier included in the one or more parameters with the session.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metering device is in communication with the routing device over a local network.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the external network is different from the local network.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sending, from the metering device, a protocol connection offer; and
receiving, at the metering device, acceptance of the protocol connection offer.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising establishing, based on the traffic information, the session.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein establishing the session comprises associating a plurality of traffic data associated with the user with the session.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein associating the user with the session comprises determining a probability of the user being associated with the session.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the premises is a home or an office.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more parameters include keywords.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user is associated with the session at the metering device or at the third-party server.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control is a privacy control.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the privacy control includes an identifier of an IP address or an identifier of a user device.
17. A system for analyzing traffic on a network, the system comprising:
a user device located in a premises;
a routing device located in the premises and in communication with the user device, the routing device configured to provide the user device with connectivity to an external network;
a metering device located in the premises and in communication with the routing device, the metering device being configured to:
receive traffic information associated with traffic to and from the user device,
the traffic information including an origin of the traffic, a destination of the traffic, a time stamp of the traffic, and the traffic information being associated with a plurality of sessions;
determine, based on a control, to capture a first part of the traffic information and not to capture a second part of the traffic information,
receive one or more parameters from the user device; and
transmit the first part of the traffic information that is captured to a third-party server; and
the third-party server in communication with the metering device, the third-party server being configured to receive the traffic information from the metering device, and the third-party server being configured to associate the user of the user device with a session of the plurality of sessions based on the one or more parameters.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the third-party server is further configured to establish, based on the traffic information, the session.
19. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more parameters include at least one of a device identifier or a user identifier.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the third-party server is configured to associate the user with the session by determining a probability of the user being associated with the session.
21. The system of claim 17 , wherein the metering device is further configured to send a protocol connection offer and to receive acceptance of the protocol connection offer.
22. The system of claim 17 , wherein the metering device is in communication with the routing device over a local network.
23. The system of claim 22 , wherein the external network is different from the local network.
24. The system of claim 17 , wherein the premises is a home or an office.
25. The system of claim 17 , wherein the third-party server is further configured to associate, based on the traffic information, a plurality of traffic data associated with the user with the session.
26. The system of claim 17 , wherein the control is a privacy control.
27. The system of claim 26 , wherein the privacy control includes an identifier of an IP address or an identifier of a user device.