Which process combines two sides of each flow when data is provided asymmetrically?

The process that combines two sides of each flow when data is provided asymmetrically is known as asymmetric recombination. This process is essential in network traffic analysis, where data may be captured from both ends of a communication but not in a uniform manner.

In scenarios where one side of the communication is monitored, say from a client perspective, and another from a server end, the information may not align perfectly due to differences in the way data is transmitted, leading to asymmetries. Asymmetric recombination addresses this by merging these diverging data points to analyze network flows comprehensively. It ensures that all relevant information from both flows is utilized for a more complete and effective analysis.

Other related terms such as data fusion, flow aggregation, and packet reassembly each describe different processes in data handling or network traffic examination. Data fusion typically refers to integrating information from various sources to create a coherent dataset, flow aggregation involves combining multiple flow records into a single flow record for better visualization, while packet reassembly is about reconstructing data packets in their proper sequence for analysis. Though these processes are pertinent to network management, they do not specifically address the issue of combining asymmetrical data flows, which is the core focus of asymmetric recombination.