Aviz Network Observability DeDuplication outlines real-time packet deduplication

The vendor outlines a Network Observability DeDuplication architecture that filters mirrored network traffic, removes duplicate packets in real time, and then distributes the resulting unique traffic to analytics tools. The approach matters for enterprise monitoring and security teams that process high-volume TAP and SPAN/ERSPAN feeds.

Research Overview

The blog describes observability and monitoring environments where duplicate packet streams from mirroring sources increase processing overhead and consume bandwidth. It frames the problem as redundant data reaching analytics and storage systems, with the stated goal of improving network efficiency and analytics accuracy.

It proposes de-duplication as part of a pipeline that uses filtering, duplicate detection, and optimized traffic distribution before packets reach downstream tools.

Technical Breakdown

The architecture starts with data sources that include a data center fabric carrying traffic from physical TAPs and mirror configurations such as SPAN and ERSPAN. The blog states that the incoming stream contains both relevant and redundant packets.

Next, an Open Packet Broker Network Operating System (OPBNOS) filtering fabric forwards only relevant traffic, with the stated intent of reducing computational and bandwidth costs tied to duplicate or irrelevant packets.

Deduplication and Distribution Mechanics

For the core stage, the filtered traffic is directed to a high-capacity core fabric described as operating in the 100G–400G range. An Aviz Service Node (ASN), described as an x86 plus DPDK-based service node, performs the deduplication.

The blog says traffic is analyzed continuously in real time at granularity up to 8 milliseconds. It describes a process that inspects ingress packets for “familiarity” based on packet type and fields, then drops packets found within a customer-defined time frame, reintegrating deduplicated traffic into the core fabric afterward.

Configuration Options and Cited Outcomes

The deduplication logic is configured with parameters including packet source type, anchor, offset, and window size. Packet source types are described as “Full Packet” and “Routed packet,” with routed packets expected to show differences across monitoring fabric due to routing parameters, including Src MAC/TTL/Checksum fields.

The blog describes window size as values that define which 2, 4, 6, and 8ms ranges are checked, and states an offset range of 14 to 128 bytes. It cites performance improvements of 30 to 50% reduced overhead for processing duplicate packets, along with bandwidth and storage cost minimization and improved accuracy for security monitoring.

Overall, the blog presents a packet pipeline that filters mirrored traffic, removes duplicates using a DPDK-accelerated x86 service node with configurable comparison settings, and distributes the remaining unique packets across analytics tools. This Blog Signals brief is a fact-based summary of the vendor blog.