US Patent 7269647 Simplified network packet analyzer for distributed packet snooper

A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product are presented for a dynamically locatable packet analyzer spread across a distributed network of endpoints for determining packet generating applications is provided. In particular, the analyzer determines which ports are being used by which applications in order to verify that only intended packets are being sent and received by endpoints. The analyzer also provides novice packet snooping by not requiring administrators to configure operating system specific, packet specific or port specific information. The analyzer also provides snooping per application type (i.e. security, discovery, etc.) on endpoints, rather than packet type or port only.