| CPC H04L 43/028 (2013.01) [H04L 43/026 (2013.01); H04L 47/32 (2013.01)] | 10 Claims |

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1. A packet capture system for capturing packets flowing through a capture target network, comprising:
a plurality of stages of packet distribution devices that are cascade-connected and configured to capture packets of a specific flow;
wherein each of the plurality of stages of packet distribution devices includes a memory, a hardware processor, a packet analyzer configured to analyze inputted packets and a flow identifier configured to identify a flow to be captured;
wherein packet distribution devices of the plurality of stages of packet distribution devices other than a last-stage packet distribution device of the plurality of stages of packet distribution devices include a distributor configured to distribute the inputted packets to capture the packets of the flow to be captured and configured to output packets of a flow not to be captured to a next-stage packet distribution device; and
wherein the last-stage packet distribution device of the plurality of stages of packet distribution devices includes a filter configured to filter the inputted packets to capture the packets of the flow to be captured and configured to discard the packets of the flow not to be captured.
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