Products - Net Optics - Case for Taps

Network TAPs provide a "Test Access Port" for analyzing high-speed networks in half or full duplex mode. When operating high-speed, high-capacity, data communications systems it is often necessary to monitor and analyze traffic with an absolute minimum disturbance to the data stream. Network taps provide inexpensive, permanent access ports throughout the network, enabling monitoring and analysis without interrupting transmission

TAPs Advantages

TAP technology supports network monitoring and intrusion detection for almost any network configuration, including GigaBit SX, LX or ZX; ATM, DS3, T1 and Fast Ethernet copper. In addition, just introduced the GigaBit TX to SX tap, the market's first copper-to-fiber tap. Network taps are extremely reliable, featuring passive-link integrity enabling the network to operate at a continuous flow.
These rack-mountable taps feature easy installation and broad compatibility: network managers can simply plug in the network cables to communicate with all major analyzer manufacturers' products including Network Generals' Sniffer®, Agilent's Internet Advisor & Cisco's SwitchProbe products, to name just a few.



TAPs Versus Span Port Connection

To enable monitoring and intrusion detection, most of the major switch vendors now support span (or mirror) ports on their switches. This allows the traffic to be sent to an analyzer port as well as the original designated port.

A Span Port solution has three major drawbacks.

    Net Optics Show Rack
    Net Optics Show Rack
  • First, it puts an increased load onto the switch that often increases CPU or memory requirements.
  • Second, when packets are sent to a span port, most vendors' switches remove low level (Layer 1, select Layer 2) errors from the stream of data. This makes low level troubleshooting impossible.
  • Third, if the link is a full duplex link running at full line rate, then to mirror this data would require a span port running at full line rate to get both directions of traffic. Unless a non-blocking switch is being used, large amounts of data could be lost because span port traffic is a low priority.

The tap solution for network monitoring and intrusion detection utilizes passive fiber or copper splitter taps on the main network links. This solution mitigates the trouble and expense associated with the three drawbacks mentioned above.

TAPs Versus In-Line Connection

Another common solution for monitoring and intrusion detection is to attach the analyzer in-line. An in-line solution has two major drawbacks:

  • First, because it is not cost effective to leave an analyzer in-line, network managers must break a connection whenever they need to monitor.
  • Second, because the analyzer is not passive, attaching an analyzer in-line introduces a point of failure into the network.

The permanent, passive tap solution eliminates the risk and inefficiency associated with monitoring with an in-line analyzer connection.

Flexibility

Network taps provide network managers with the flexibility to monitor all aspects of the network 24/7. As network security and reliability continue to grow in importance, taps are an integral solution for any network.

Tap Types

Taps come in several varieties with different purposes and features. If you are confused about what type of Tap device you need in your network, here is a quick overview of the capabilities each type of Tap provides:

Network Taps

Network Tap - TP-CU3 Network Tap - TP-CU3 When a monitoring tool is needed, simply connect the device to the Tap instead of taking down the link, moving cables, and causing traffic interruptions. Even if Taps lose power, they are completely passive and feature fail-open technology that ensures traffic continuity. Network Taps pass all network traffic - including Layer 1 and 2 errors - without introducing bottlenecks or points of failure for 100% visibility.

Regardless of where in the network or the types of interfaces that need to be monitored, Net Optics has a Tap solution. Copper, multimode and singlemode fiber, and coax are supported, at speeds up to 10Gbps. Media conversion models are also available to support disparate interface types.

iTap

iTap - IPA-CU3 iTap - IPA-CU3 The iTap operates just like a standard Tap, with the extra capabilities of remote management and basic monitoring built directly into the Tap.

Port Aggregation Taps

Port Aggregation Tap - TPA-CU3 A Port Aggregator does essentially the same thing as a Tap; it allows you to access a single network segment. The difference is that you can plug in one or two monitoring devices (depending on the model) and view full duplex traffic with only a single NIC per device, rather than two NICs.

Link Aggregation Taps

Link Aggregation Tap - LA-1400 A Link Aggregator does essentially the reverse of a Regeneration Tap. This device accepts multiple network segments and "aggregates" all the traffic to 1 to 24 monitoring devices (depending on the model).

Regeneration Taps

Regeneration Tap - RGND-SX-S8 Regeneration Tap - RGND-SX-S8 Net Optics Regeneration Taps provide permanent passive monitoring access ports for 100% visibility into your network's critical links with multiple devices. Compatible with all leading security and network management tools, Regeneration Taps support simultaneous passive deployment of intrusion detection and prevention systems, protocol analyzers, RMON probes, and other key devices. Each monitoring device connected to the Regeneration Taps sees the same traffic at the same time, providing a complete picture of link health for troubleshooting and analysis.

Bypass Switches

Bypass Switch - IBPO-HBLR-XFP Bypass Switch - IBPO-HBLR-XFP Net Optics´ Optical Bypass Switches provide a permanent and trouble-free access port for in-line network security and monitoring devices. The Optical Bypass Switch automatically switches network traffic through added in-line devices or bypasses devices that are about to be removed. With a heartbeat, the Optical Bypass Switch protects network traffic against both signal and power loss on the attached in-line device.

Converter

Converter Tap - CVT-SX5/GCU Converter Tap - CVT-SX5/GCU Net Optics Converter products are designed to complement our core Network Taps, Regeneration Taps, and Switches for easy deployment. These solutions include media converters for all major network topologies, redundancy products for high availability scenarios, test equipment to simulate any fiber link, and a wide array of premium multimode, singlemode, and CAT5E cables to suit every network.

Director™

Director™ - DIR-7400 Director™ - DIR-7400 Take control over your mission-critical, high-speed converged networks with Director, a new monitoring and data aggregation solution from Net Optics, the leader in monitoring access. Director connects dozens or hundreds of critical high-volume data links to a sub-station of monitoring tools, enabling you to send just the traffic of interest from any links to any tools you choose, with remote, dynamic control.

Indigo Pro™

Indigo Pro™ Logo Indigo Pro is a family of network management appliances that includes Indigo Collector Pro and Indigo Manager Pro. These 1U 19" rack-mount appliances provide simple, effective solutions for monitoring and managing large numbers of all types of Net Optics devices through a single pane of glass (a single management console).
It is an advanced management solution providing element management, dashboard, rich graphics, and collection and visualization of traffic statistics that are emitted from Net Optics devices throughout the network. Indigo Pro works hand-in-hand with your other network management systems to expand overall network intelligence while greatly improving IT operational efficiency.
Indigo Pro™