The FrameDecoder® feature of Frontline protocol
analyzers enables users to quickly create custom decoders for proprietary protocols and
extensions to existing protocol decoders. Because FrameDecoder incorporates
Frontline’s FTS protocol-decoding engine as its foundation, a vast majority of the
custom decoder development work has already been done. The user simply writes a custom
protocol decoder using DecoderScript, an intuitive, high-level programming language that
requires no computer programming background. The resulting decoder translates your raw
data and corresponding data structure information into terminology defined by your
protocol specification. Custom decoders operate in the same manner as factory developed
protocol decoders-both live data and previously captured data can be analyzed.
FrameDecoder is ideal for data communication product
developers, application developers, network troubleshooters, and field service personnel
who work with proprietary protocols and:
- Spend excessive time sifting through raw data and looking at
conversion tables to decode hex and ASCII data,
- Would save time if protocol data was organized in
frames/packets for easier viewing,
- Want to simplify protocol related training activities,
and/or
- Would like to be able to diagnose protocol-related problems
more quickly.
Note: For companies who work with proprietary data
communication protocols, but do not possess the available engineering resources required
to create custom protocol decoders internally, Frontline offers its
Custom
Protocol Decoder Development Service in which Frontline engineers create custom
decoders quickly and cost-effectively.
FrameDecoder is included with most Frontline
protocol analyzers. FrameDecoder includes software, a Quick Start Guide and a DecoderScript instruction
manual. The manual can be downloaded
here.