python - Timing packets on a traffic server -

i have proxy traffic server hop on network , handling large quantity's of traffic.

i calculate cost in seconds of how long takes proxy server handle incoming request, process them , forward on.

i had been playing write python script perform tcpdump , how time packets entering server until had left.

i have perform tcpdump period of time , analysis calculate times?

is way of achieving want or there more elegant solution?

i found easier utilize switch's 'port mirror' copy data in , out of proxy's switchport separate port connects dedicated capture box, tcpdump work you.

if switch(es) have capability, reduces load on busy proxy. if don't, yes, tcpdump full packets file: "tcpdump -i interface -s 0 -w /path/to/file".

you can (on different machine) throw code examine , report on want, or open in wireshark detailed analysis.