Transparent Traffic Analysis at 8Gbps: Gansu Media's Panabit Deployment Sets New Standard for Provincial Networks

1. Project Background

In 2013, China’s internet users surpassed 618 million with 45.8% penetration. As broadband services shifted from "quantity-focused" to "quality-driven", operators faced challenges like network congestion and inefficient bandwidth usage. To tackle these issues, Panabit (a leading traffic analysis solution) was deployed to optimize traffic flow, reduce costs, and improve user experience.

Key Challenges:

• Poor visibility into network traffic.

• Inefficient bandwidth allocation.

• Regulatory requirements for detailed logging.

2. Solution Overview

Transparent Deployment

Panabit was installed between core switches and exit routers using transparent bridging (no disruption to existing networks). Key features:

• Triple Protection: Backup systems prevent downtime.

• High Capacity: Handles up to 8Gbps traffic and 500,000+ simultaneous connections.

• Log Storage: Integrates with dedicated servers for long-term data retention.

3. Core Features

1. Emergency DNS Fix
   Redirects poisoned DNS requests to clean servers (e.g., Google DNS) to restore internet access.

2. CDN Smart Routing
   Directs high-traffic content (e.g., videos) to nearby CDN nodes for faster speeds.

3. Game Acceleration
   Prioritizes gaming traffic to reduce lag and improve user experience.

4. Deep Analytics

   • Tracks 95% of online activities (e.g., video streaming, social media).

   • Generates reports on user behavior, device types, and traffic sources.

5. Resource Planning
   Uses data to decide which services (e.g., apps, games) to invest in for maximum ROI.

6. Large-Scale IP Monitoring
   Analyzes up to 500,000+ IP addresses in real time to detect issues like:

   • Unlawful sharing ("one IP, multiple users").

   • Device types (smartphones, tablets).

7. Troubleshooting
   Identifies root causes of slow speeds (e.g., DNS errors, server issues).

8. Mobile Traffic Insights
   Recognizes mobile apps (e.g., WeChat, Android Market) to optimize mobile services.

9. Compliance Logging
   Stores audit logs for regulatory requirements (e.g., user activity tracking).

4. Why Panabit?

• Simple Setup: Works with existing networks; no complex configurations.

• Actionable Data: Turns raw traffic into clear insights (e.g., "Users love video apps—let’s offer discounted bundles!").

• Future-Ready: Adapts to new trends like IoT and 5G.