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A TAP, used by monitoring devices, sits between two network devices on the wire. They are non-obtrusive, non-detectable and will pass-through traffic even if the tap stops working or loses power. TAPs support 10 Mb, 100 Mb, or 1 Gb copper links, 1 Gb or 10 Gb single- or multi-mode optical links. They are also available in Copper-to-Optical or Optical-to-Copper.

A physical layer, matrix or aggregator switching solution enables the electronic sharing of network monitoring equipment, network monitoring ports and TAP’s significantly reducing monitoring costs and mean time to repair (MTTR) in even the most complex networks.

 

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Physical Layer Switch
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Physical layer, matrix or aggregation switches can be used with monitoring ports and TAP’s to solve some common problems. Either there is contention for the same monitoring port by multiple monitoring devices or purchasing dedicated devices for all monitoring points on a network is cost prohibitive. These switches also are great for test labs as devices are wired once and then reconfigured via software.

TAP's

A network tap (Test Access Point) is a hardware device which provides a way to access the data (packets) moving across a network segment. Network taps are used with network monitoring and collection devices, such as intrusion detection systems, protocol analyzers, VoIP analyzers, network probes and RMON probes that require access to the packets on a network segment.

 

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A full-duplex TAP will guarantee that all of the network traffic, including error information, makes it to the analysis device. It requires the analysis device have two ports one for ingress and another for egress traffic.

An Aggregator TAP merges ingress and egress data into single streams for transmission to a single port analysis device.

Taps are useful because they are non-obtrusive, non-detectable and will pass-through traffic even if the tap stops working or loses power.

TAP’s are an alternative to monitoring ports on a switch which receive a copy of the activity of one or more ports. TAP’s have some advantages over monitoring port, but both only allow the attachment of one monitoring device.

nTAP

Network TAPs make data access easy. Install sturdy, reliable nTAPs from Network Instruments on critical links for round-the-clock access to traffic without disrupting data flow or wasting precious time.


Network TAPs are passive devices‐traffic keeps flowing even when power doesn't. With streamlined form factors and an array of configuration options. A snap to deploy and economical to implement, our network TAPs provide important devices the visibility they need. nTap makes network data access easy - Get product details

nTAPs come ready to support 10 Mb, 100 Mb, or 1 Gb copper links, 1 Gb or 10 Gb single- or multi-mode optical links. For further flexibility a Copper-to-Optical or Optical-to-Copper Conversion nTAP's are available.

APCON

Reducing the number of monitoring devices can significantly decrease operating costs and reduce energy consumption. APCON IntellaPatch switch technology makes it possible.

A tool is physically connected into the switch just once, and then engineers can share equipment via a software interface from their workstations. Eliminating the need for network personnel to physically move devices in data centers ends the risks associated with that access – and the likelihood that someone will incorrectly re-cable a monitoring tool to the wrong port and accidentally take down a network.

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IntellaPatch supports one-to-one connectivity, as well as one-to-many connectivity – that is the ability to take a single SPAN or Tap and multicast the data to multiple tools. This allows different user groups to view the same data with different sets of tools.

By integrating IntellaFlex, users can also have many-to-one and many-to-many connectivity. In a many-to-one scenario, users can aggregate together a series of SPAN or Tap links, filter the traffic for specific criteria such as the IP or MAC address, and direct it to a designated analysis device.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can APCON IntellaPatch be scaled?
IntellaPatch® provides the widest array of modular switching solutions based on scalable chassis, multi-protocol blades, and intuitive embedded management software. With our technology, users are able to reconfigure network connections in seconds, avoiding time-consuming and error-prone manual patching. They are also allowed secure, remote access to any point on the network via embedded software.

What type of management software is used to manage the APCON switches and what are the system requirements?
APCON offers five software interfaces – each designed to meet the unique requirements of different users and organizations. 3 can be accessed via Web and of those 3 two are device embedded the last being server based. Also, programming interfaces allow users to control APCON switch functions with common scripting languages. Often ideal for test lab environments, APCON's CLI enables users to automate their test routines. And, Simple Network Management Protocol, called SNMP, allows all IntellaPatch switches to be seamlessly integrated into existing network and element management platforms through APCON's standardized MIBs (Management Information Base).

 

Does an nTAP require power?
Any nTAP with copper connections to the network or analyzer will require power to copy the data stream and send it to the monitoring device. However, the data stream continues to pass through the nTAP to the network even if power to the nTAP fails.

"Pure" optical nTAPs (fiber in and out) require no power to operate.

The NIC in my analysis device has a single “receive” port. Will I get visibility into a full-duplex connection with an nTAP?
Yes, but you will only be able to view one side of the full-duplex link at a time. This is not recommended. An nTAP sends copies of the TX and RX of a full-duplex signal out through separate “send” ports to the monitoring device. If your monitoring device is equipped with a dual-receive capture card, you will be able to view both streams of data. However, if your monitoring device is equipped with only one receive port, it will only be able to view one stream of data. To view the entire full-duplex stream for analysis, the monitoring device should have two receive ports and the ability to aggregate TX and RX into a single stream.

Can I use standard cables with my nTAP?
Yes. To connect a monitoring device to an optical nTAP:
Split a duplex cable (or use two simplex cables) and connect one end of each of those sides of the cable to the “send” ports on the nTAP, and the other end of each of those sides of the cable to the “receive” ports on the monitoring device’s NIC. We also offer a convenient analyzer (or splitter) cable to ensure this connection can be made without error.

To connect a monitoring device to an nTAP with copper outputs:
Use standard straight-through RJ45 Ethernet cables (cross over cables cannot be used with 10/100 Copper nTAP).