Description
Compute (current - previous) modulo 2^32.
TCP sequence and timestamp fields wrap in a 32-bit space. A modular distance gives a local displacement; ordering near half the space and multiple wraps requires additional context.
Compute (current - previous) modulo 2^32.
When to use this tool
Use TCP Timestamp Wrap Delta Field when you need a bounded sequence-space distance or interval relationship.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter previous, current. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read delta, ambiguous. Inspect ambiguous before interpreting the associated values.
Compute (current - previous) modulo 2^32. Mark ambiguous when the forward delta is at least 2^31.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| previous | Previous | Required. Safe integer; minimum 0; maximum 4294967295. |
| current | Current | Required. Safe integer; minimum 0; maximum 4294967295. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| delta | Delta | Required. Safe integer. |
| ambiguous | Ambiguous | Required. Boolean. |
{
"input": {
"previous": 4294967290,
"current": 4
},
"output": {
"delta": 10,
"ambiguous": false
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- Timestamp ticks have no assumed time unit; the half-space flag does not resolve wraps or elapsed real time.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Combine sequence arithmetic with connection state, packet chronology, and explicit wrap epochs where available.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- TCP Sequence Halfspace Tie
Calculate the forward distance from first to second modulo 2^32.
- TCP Sequence Epoch Distance
Compute (secondEpoch - firstEpoch) × 2^32 + secondSequence - firstSequence using exact decimal-integer epochs.