Cisco Packet Metadata Capture in Software-Defined Network

The European Patent Office issued publication EP4082170A1 for Cisco Technology, Inc.'s patent application covering methods and apparatus for capturing packet metadata in software-defined network environments. The application, classified under H04L 9/40, names inventors Blake Harrell Anderson and David McGrew, and designates all 35 European contracting states including AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, and TR.

For affected parties, this publication initiates the public inspection period under EPO rules, during which third parties may file observations on the application's patentability. This is a routine administrative step in the European patent grant process and creates no immediate compliance obligations for technology companies or other market participants. Competitors developing software-defined networking solutions may wish to review the published application to assess potential freedom-to-operate implications.