Netoptics 10/100BaseT Active Response Port Aggregator Tap P/N: PA-CU-AR Reviews | Network Tap Reviews Fiber Copper Gigabit Ethernet

By: Netoptics 10/100BaseT Active Response Port Aggregator Tap P/N: PA-CU-AR

Net Optics Active Response Port Aggregator Taps provide ultra-efficient access to critical links with the option to inject an active response into the network. This pioneering technology enables any monitoring device to simultaneously monitor a full-duplex link - using only one NIC per device.

Typically, full-duplex monitoring with a network tap requires two NICs (or a dual channel NIC) – one interface for each side of the tapped full-duplex connection. The Port Aggregator Tap combines these streams, sending all aggregated data out one passive monitoring port. The best part of this innovation is the onboard memory to make sure traffic isn’t dropped during bursts.

Response Ready

When active responses to network events are required, the monitoring port can be changed to an Active Response Port using a hardware switch. The Active Response Port buffers and transmits into the network link any type of Ethernet packet, from a simple TCP reset to ICMP messages. The Active Response Port can be easily switched back to passive monitoring via the hardware switch.

The combination of active response capability and passive monitoring in the Tap reduces the number of devices and network ports required for active response functionality.

Buffering Prevents Lost Data

The Active Response Port Aggregator Tap is designed to handle the combined traffic of a single full-duplex link. Normally, the traffic should be below the receiving capacity of the NIC, that is, less than 10 or 100 Mbps.

When the traffic queue exceeds the capacity of the NIC, the Tap buffers the overflow of up to one megabyte per side of the full-duplex connection. For your convenience, the buffers clear automatically when the traffic volume falls below the receiving capacity of the NIC. For example, if there is a traffic burst and a tap connected to a 100 Mbps network port on a monitoring device is now receiving 140 Mbps of traffic, the Tap buffers data until the burst is over. The Tap then sends the buffered data to the monitoring device until the buffer is cleared.

Simple to Deploy

Net Optics’ Active Response Port Aggregator Tap is a simple plug-and-play solution addressing the fact that many monitoring systems, including most software-based solutions, only offer a single channel NIC, limiting full-duplex visibility. While adding a second NIC can help maintain data integrity and visibility, there is a tradeoff in flexibility and ease-of-use. An operating system and NICs that enable binding are often required to achieve the same functionality as the Port Aggregator Tap. In contrast, the Port Aggregator Tap requires no additional components or configuration on the monitoring devices.

Better than Span Ports

In the past, span ports were occasionally used to aggregate tapped traffic. However, in addition to other shortcomings of span port monitoring, span ports support very limited buffering and can simply drop data during bursts. The generous buffers of the Port Aggregator Tap prevent data loss in these conditions.

Security and Visibility

Without an IP address, monitoring devices are isolated from the network, dramatically reducing their exposure to attacks. However, the monitoring device connected to the Tap still sees all full-duplex traffic as if it were in-line, including Layer 1 and Layer 2 errors.

Simply Plug It In

Full-duplex monitoring is a snap when each side of the signal is sent to the same NIC on the monitoring device. All network and monitoring cables necessary for plug-and-play deployment are included with the Tap. Everything you need, right out of the box.

Reliability

For extra uptime protection, Net Optics Taps offer redundant power connections. Should the primary power source fail, the Tap automatically switches to the backup power source. Power LEDs on the front of the Tap indicate the current power source – even if power is lost and reapplied, there is always zero delay to network traffic.