Net Optics GigaBit Fiber SFP Port Aggregator Tap User Manual

Page 5

GigaBit Fiber Port Aggregator Tap

Introduction

Net Optics GigaBit Port Aggregator Taps with SFP Monitor Ports provide

ultra-efficient access to critical GigaBit links . This pioneering technology en-

ables any two devices to simultaneously monitor a full-duplex link using only

one NIC per monitoring device . Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) connec-

tors on the Monitor Ports allow these Port Aggregators to also perform media

conversion from fiber to copper.

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 Gigabit Port Aggregator Tap combines and regenerates these

streams, sending all aggregated data out one or two passive monitoring ports .

The best part of this innovation is the onboard memory that ensures traffic

isn't dropped during bursts .

The GigaBit 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 1 Gbps .

When the traffic queue exceeds the capacity of the NIC, the Tap buffers the

overflow up to 1GB. 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 1 Gbps network port on a monitoring device is

now receiving 1.2 Gbps 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 .

Key Features

Technology
• Supports full-duplex monitoring with a single NIC, increasing monitoring

efficiency

• Regeneration Tap technology enables two devices to simultaneously moni-

tor all aggregated traffic – using only one NIC per device

• 1GB of buffer memory prevents data loss during excessive traffic loads

• Provides complete full-duplex visibility at 1 Gbps without data stream

interference or introducing a point of failure