The PacketLogic firmware consists of four software modules – LiveView, Traffic Shaping, Filtering and Statistics – and a web extension of Statistics called WebStatistics. All software modules rely on Procera’s state-of-the-art identification and classification engine DRDL. The modules are fully integrated which means that everything is managed in the same user interface. It also means that common objects are used to define groups of users (local hosts), applications, properties etc. A change to an object will affect all occasions where that object is used. This gives an easy overview of the network traffic as well as the PacketLogic administration.

The PacketLogic software is managed and monitored through the graphical (GUI) admin client that is available for Windows, Linux and Mac. Other interfaces include SNMP, Syslog, CLI (command line interface) for systems configuration, and a complete Python API for automation of PacketLogic administration. PacketLogic’s centralized management manages common rule-sets and firmware editions across multiple PacketLogic systems.

For the most accurate user and location awareness, PacketLogic Subscriber Manager (PSM) integrates PacketLogic with network systems like AAA, OSS, BSS, provisioning and policy managers. This enables per-user tracking and policies, also known as user awareness, as well as knowledge of where in the network the user connects, i.e. location awareness. User awareness is required to create personalized offerings that attract new customers, minimize churn, and increase ARPU through value-add services. Location awareness makes it possible to resolve, or even avoid, congestion, enhancing the user-experience. It can also control roaming costs through automatic policy enforcement.

LiveView

The traffic is presented in real-time in the PacketLogic module LiveView. This is the first view that meets the PacketLogic administrator. LiveView shows all traffic going through the PacketLogic system, from overview down to a specific connection. The real-time capability enables you to support your users on the fly and resolve issues when they actually occur.

Traffic Shaping and Filtering

Policies are enforced in the Traffic Shaping and Filtering PacketLogic modules. Traffic Shaping can force certain traffic to a defined level. It can also be used to secure that it does not exceed a set threshold. This way capacity can be designated to critical and sensitive traffic. The Traffic Shaping module also contains prioritization where traffic based on labeling is forwarded in a certain order in case of congestion. PacketLogic uses a pure non-disruptive queuing mechanism.

The Filtering module is a capable Layer 7 firewall. Traffic can be filtered or allowed based on all granular properties provided by DRDL. This enables forensic control of unwanted and hazardous traffic. The Filtering module also provides rewrite functionality that can redirect traffic, change the QoS label DSCP (DiffServ) and perform automated DoS/DDoS protection.

Statistics

The data presented in real-time in the LiveView module is aggregated in the PacketLogic Statistics module. Statistics validates that the policies provide the intended results. This is valuable information for Marketing and Product Management to explore what the users do online, for Abuse Management to track malicious behavior, and for Company Management to get weekly reports.

PacketLogic also offers a web extension called WebStatistics that presents data in a clickable web-GUI. WebStatistics can be configured to only show selected data. This can be used to give the end-user access to his own statistics.

PacketLogic Subscriber Manager
PacketLogic Subscriber Manager (A4)

Software Modules Datasheet
Software Modules Datasheet (A4)