Packeteer delves further into Layer 7 monitoring

Packeteer today launched an application traffic monitor appliance that lets carriers remotely diagnose network problems based on Layer 7 traffic analysis.

The PacketSeeker builds on the Cupertino, Cal.-based company’s existing technology and is designed with the ability to be upgraded to a PacketShaper. Like passive monitoring products, the new appliance lets users monitor traffic flows from a remote location.

However, PacketSeeker also can distinguish between different applications based on several variables, including header information and bit configuration.

“It provides the visibility of a sniffer, but it only abstracts it to an application, not the payload,” said Jeff Barker, director of product marketing.

Packeteer is marketing the PacketSeeker to carriers as a way to further monitor service level agreement compliance.