Support > Get Tap´d In - What kind of Tap do I need for my network?

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Network TAP

provides 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 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.

1. First, it puts an increased load onto the switch that often increases CPU or memory requirements.
2. 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.
3. 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:

1. First, because it is not cost effective to leave an analyzer in-line, network managers must break a connection whenever they need to monitor.
2. 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: