US Patent 7636305 Method and apparatus for monitoring network traffic

A method of monitoring network traffic flows of network traffic elements between locations in a data communications network is disclosed. The method comprises the step of classifying, as a first flow, traffic elements from a first to a second network location sharing a flow characteristic. The method further comprises the steps of classifying, as a second flow, traffic elements from said second to said first network location sharing said flow characteristic correlating said first and second flows.