| r networks form the backbone of effective | | | | network flow. It can be easily added to the network |
| communication between individuals and organizational | | | | link without any need to reconfigure switches or |
| systems. However, the growing volume and | | | | network topology. |
| complexity of network systems have also introduced | | | | The use of switches for network monitoring has |
| high levels of security threat. In May 2009, it was | | | | several flaws. Switches tend to lose data packets and |
| reported that TJX companies, a leading brand in | | | | error reports under heavy traffic conditions. This can |
| apparel and home fashion industry, reported $139 | | | | severely affect the troubleshooting efforts. Ethernet |
| million loss solely attributed to data security breach. | | | | TAPs captures and manages entire traffic information |
| Network vulnerability has lead to the use of | | | | inline with the network. Its small shape makes it |
| sophisticated technology to ensure data protection. | | | | possible to hide the device from normal visibility. Thus, |
| Ethernet network TAP is one of the most effective | | | | an intentional harm to the device can be avoided. It can |
| technologies for traffic monitoring. | | | | also be used as a portable sniffing device to detect |
| What is Ethernet Network TAP? | | | | network intrusion. |
| Ethernet network TAP is a passive device that is | | | | Types of Ethernet Network TAP |
| installed into the network. It uses a category -5 (Cat 5) | | | | Ethernet network TAPs are available in copper and |
| cable to connect to the network. The access points | | | | fire optic media in the following data range: |
| for traffic range are defined to collect data from the | | | | 1.Gigabit Ethernet |
| targeted network segment. This data is transferred to | | | | 2.10 Gigabit Ethernet |
| the network administrator for analysis. Using two-way | | | | An aggregation Ethernet TAP integrates traffic from |
| connection, it is possible to monitor traffic in both the | | | | different network TAPs and send to a common |
| lines of the network. This eliminates the need to | | | | network monitoring tool. On the other hand, |
| reconnect to different access points to receive data | | | | regeneration Ethernet TAP duplicates traffic and |
| from the other segment of the network. | | | | forwards the data to multiple monitoring tools. Also, all |
| Ethernet network TAP neither adds latency into the | | | | Ethernet network TAPs can be used virtually with |
| system under monitoring nor does it interrupt the | | | | every network topology. |