A technique of network packet classification on the application layer is proposed. It is based on fuzzy data processing and artificial neural networks to define the network packet belongingness to one of the known network protocols. In the suggested technique, two main data processing stages are distinguished. At the first stage data is preprocessed by fuzzy logic methods. At the second stage the packets are classified by means of an artificial neural network. An artificial neural network having the proposed architecture allows one to determine the following aspects: the type of secure network protocol, the internal state of the network protocol based on the application of logical decision rules, and the type of network application using the identified protocol. The architecture of the bench environment for field tests is considered. During the experiments, the traffic of real network applications that are used around the world was used. Experimental assessment of the offered technique showed rather high quality and work speed of the developed classifier.

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