Application Visibility & Control

OVERVIEW

Clear and Complete Application Visibility Powered by DPI

Modern networks require more than just connectivity. They need clarity and control. Lionic’s Application Visibility and Control module provides deep, real-time insight into the applications running across your network without requiring user-side agents or browser plug-ins. Powered by Lionic’s self-owned DPI technology, it identifies over 1,000 applications across Layer 7 traffic, including encrypted and evasive protocols.

BENEFITS AND FEATURES

DPI-Powered Flexible and Customizable Application Management

Visibility Without Agents

Full visibility without agents or installs. DPI reads traffic directly from network packets.

1,000+ Recognized Applications

Lionic detects 1,000+ apps across social, messaging, streaming, and cloud with updated signatures.

DoH/DoT Resilient Recognition

Detection works with encrypted DNS (DoH or DoT) enabled, ensuring consistent policy enforcement.

Advanced Usage Control Options

Block, log, or apply time-based limits per app. Background traffic is filtered separately for precise screen-time management reflecting real usage.

Customizable App Classification

Customize app groups by region, audience, or policy. Create whitelists, blacklists, or controls for ISPs, schools, or enterprises.

Fully Owned DPI Engine & Database

Our signature engine and app library are fully in-house with no third-party dependencies and weekly updates for reliable detection.

FAQ

Accurate and Agentless to Deliver Seamless Application Control

How does Lionic identify applications without user input or endpoint agents?

Lionic uses advanced DPI technology to inspect traffic at the packet level—no need for client-side software, user login, or browser extension. It analyzes protocol behavior in real time to detect application signatures passively and accurately, even when traffic is encrypted.

What types of applications can be detected and managed?

Our system recognizes over 1,000 applications, including social media, streaming services, messaging apps, gaming platforms, cloud tools, and more. You can monitor or control usage with fine granularity, whether it’s blocking TikTok during work hours or limiting YouTube access on school networks.

How is Lionic’s DPI solution different from DNS-based tools like Pi-hole or OpenDNS?

DNS-based tools can block or filter domains, but they operate only at the name resolution layer. Once a connection is established, they offer no visibility into what’s happening. In contrast, Lionic’s DPI solution inspects actual network traffic in real time and provides fine-grained insights into application usage, including how much time was spent, what content was transferred, and which app features were used. It can enforce policies per connection, per device, and per app category, even when DNS is encrypted or bypassed. This enables true application-aware control rather than basic domain blocking.

How accurate is the screen time tracking?

We designed our visibility engine to distinguish between active and background traffic. This allows for more realistic usage metrics by filtering out keep-alive packets and silent connections that would otherwise inflate screen-time data. The result is a clearer picture of real user behavior, not just raw traffic counts.

Is the application list customizable for different markets or policies?

Absolutely. You can tailor the application database to match regional usage patterns, age-specific controls, or business compliance needs. Whether you’re an ISP, school network, or enterprise IT team, our customizable app classification supports flexible, targeted policy enforcement.

USE CASES

Use Cases for Application Visibility & Control

App Restrictions for BYOD and IoT Devices

Schools or SMBs could use Lionic AVC to manage applications across bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environments, where traditional endpoint agents aren’t practical. IT can block apps like Discord or torrent clients without touching personal devices.

Advanced Network Analytics for Enterprises

Enterprises can deploy application visibility and control (AVC) at the gateway to see which apps are consuming the most bandwidth. Identify high-usage tools like cloud storage or entertainment apps and shape policies that boost productivity.

Premium App Control Plans for Subscribers

Service providers might launch tiered subscription packages where customers can monitor or control specific applications. For example, they could disable video streaming during work-from-home hours or limit gaming time during the week, all managed easily from the user portal.

Tailored App Policies by Region and Customer

Vendors or service providers can localize their application database by focusing on region-specific apps, such as LINE in Japan or WeChat in China. They can then enforce app-specific rules that align with local cultural practices or legal requirements.

Seamless, Transparent Control with No Hassle

Lionic AVC works at the network layer, allowing silent and seamless app control. There’s no need for users to install software or log in, yet administrators and parents still retain full oversight.

Smart Home Parental Controls Made Easy

ISPs and router vendors can offer built-in parental controls that do more than just block websites. Set screen-time limits for apps like TikTok and YouTube, or block specific content categories during school hours—even when DNS is encrypted.