NETSCOUT TAP family
Flexible TAPs Enable Seamless Access to Network Links.
The NETSCOUT TAP family provides network monitoring devices with full and reliable access to network traffic. With the versatility of offering multiple options for link types and speeds, NETSCOUT TAPs can be placed on any strategic network link for comprehensive, always-on monitoring of the IT infrastructure.
NETSCOUT TAPs (Traffic Access Point or Test Access Point) key benefits
- Full and Transparent Access to Network Traffic.
- Conserves Switch/Router Ports.
- Deployment Versatility with Multiple Densities.
- 10/100/1000 Copper Support.
- 1, 10, 25, 40, and 100 Gbps Fiber Support.
- Supports Service Delivery Management, Performance Management, Security, and Forensics Deployments.
- Copper TAP Redundant Power Supplies.
The NETSCOUT TAP family provides network monitoring devices with full and reliable access to network traffic. With the versatility of offering multiple options for link types and speeds, NETSCOUT TAPs can be placed on any strategic network link for comprehensive, always-on monitoring of the IT infrastructure.
A NETSCOUT TAP provides transparent access to network traffic. The TAP is invisible to devices on both ends of the link causing no disruption to data flows or protocol transactions – down to the lowest link-level control protocols.
NETSCOUT TAPs provide monitoring devices with an exact view of all packets on the monitored link, thereby enabling accurate packet analysis and capture. Compared to the use of a network device’s traffic mirroring capabilities, a NETSCOUT TAP avoids any potential limitations in the device’s architecture that might cause packet header loss/alteration or packet loss under heavy load.
Finally, NETSCOUT TAPs provide the most accurate view of application transaction times since there is minimal latency or latency variation added that might be introduced by a network device’s mirroring process. This improves the accuracy of performance evaluation and modeling.
Features of use NETSCOUT TAPs
NETSCOUT TAPs allow the systems architect to devote network device ports to actual service usage, thereby extending the longevity of network devices at a given location and simplifying capacity planning for future growth.
NETSCOUT TAPs offer multiple form factors, monitored link densities, and media support for optimal versatility. The 1-link copper TAPs can be deployed in densities from 1 TAP up to 3 TAPs in a single rack unit (RU) – using the rackmount adapter kit. The 8-link copper TAP supports tapping of 8 full-duplex copper links in a single RU without the need for a rackmount kit.
The HD Fiber TAP chassis supports all HD fiber TAP module options in a single chassis. With up to 24 TAPs in a single rack unit, datacenter configuration can mix and match variable TAP modules at high densities. This flexibility supports evolving optical network conditions, from collections of homogenous links to those with various speeds and feeds. As networks upgrade, TAP modules can be easily added or swapped out.
NETSCOUT fiber optic TAPs require no power; they are unaffected by power outages. NETSCOUT copper TAPs utilize redundant power supplies with nondisruptive, automatic failover in case of power loss or power supply failure. In case of total power loss, the copper TAPs feature rapid failover to passive, pass-through mode in order to minimize disruption to the monitored link. For maximizing availability, system architects can also utilize copper TAPs with built-in battery backup, which maintain active operation and avoids disruptions to the monitored link until TAP power is restored.
Inside the data center, the HD (high density) Fiber TAPs can be ideally utilized for providing access to network flows traversing the high-density 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps backbones and 10 Gbps uplinks from the edge to the aggregation layers, while also providing access to legacy 1 Gbps uplinks, all in one chassis. The capability to dynamically add monitored links, with up to 24 links per rack unit, allows for scaling the packet-flow access solution while conserving rack space – a vital resource in data center environments. For high-speed connectivity of aggregation-to-core or core-to-core devices, the 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps HD Fiber TAPS can be utilized with densities matching the target deployment. Furthermore, at the border of the data center where link density is low, 1-link HD Fiber TAPs can be used.
In enterprise networks where there is a prevalence of 10/100/1000 Ethernet copper links, NETSCOUT copper TAPs may be deployed in a variety of locations to complement the HD Fiber TAPs. For instance, at the enterprise border where Internet/WAN connectivity speeds and link densities are lower than those in the aggregation/core, the 1-/8-link 10/100/1000 Ethernet copper TAP can be used. With densities up to 3 or 8 links per rack unit, the NETSCOUT copper TAPs are an ideal fit for monitoring flows crossing the enterprise border.
TNETSCOUT TAPs associate monitored links to monitoring devices in a one-to-one mapping, thereby supporting basic load distribution. For advanced monitoring scenarios, a NETSCOUT TAP can be used in conjunction with the nGenius Packet Flow Switch which provides intelligent flow filtering, aggregation, and distribution to multiple service delivery management devices, like the InfiniStream appliances, as well as to other monitoring devices like intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), malware protection systems (MPS), and forensic devices.
Sample NETSCOUT TAP deployment scenarios in enterprise campus and data center
