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[Partnership Announcement] Garland Technology and Cloud Harmonics Launch Partnership at Ignite 2016

March 31, 2016

"I am very excited to announce our partnership with Cloud Harmonics. They are an exceptional example of a complete distribution and service solution. Cloud Harmonics offers superb technology, in-depth training and advanced services to their customers.” said Chris Bihary, CEO/Co-Founder of Garland Technology.

The official launch of this partnership begins at Ignite 2016, hosted by Palo Alto Networks in Las Vegas on April 3-6, 2016.

The joint partnership began with the need for next-generation security technologies to ensure 100% data access and visibility, while maintaining 100% network uptime.  With Garland Technology’s bypass network TAPs, all data - every bit, byte and packet® - is copied and delivered to the security appliance, whether it’s a next-generation firewall (NGFW) or next-generation intrusion prevention system (NG-IPS).

Garland Technology’s bypass network test access points (TAPs) were designed specifically as connectivity tool for active, in-band security devices, these purpose built hardware devices do not introduce additional points of failure or unneeded infrastructure into the network.  

“By aligning with Garland Technology we are able to deliver a guaranteed, turn-key visibility solution for Palo Alto Networks NGFW users, as well as ensure 100% network uptime - even during times of network maintenance, updates or trouble-shooting.” said Doug Chalmers, COO, Cloud Harmonics.

Network TAPs are considered the best practice by IT professionals when 100% network access and visibility is required. Companies that rely on traditional SPAN ports experience lost packets and higher latency due to oversubscribed ports, thus making their network monitoring and analysis appliances ineffective.

About Cloud Harmonics

Cloud Harmonics Inc., the fastest growing full-service, Next-Generation Distributor of cybersecurity and cloud technologies, is fueling the channel with its innovative Educate, Engage and Enable business model. Working with leading technology providers, such as Aruba Networks, Arista Networks, HPE, Palo Alto Networks and others, Cloud Harmonics provides the awareness, technical proficiency and services support its more than 300 reseller partners need to create opportunities, close deals and secure repeat business. Cloud Harmonics trains more than 3000 engineers annually. Through its large distribution channel, the company provides resellers access to an arsenal of business applications that streamline sales, reduce costs, and accelerate the adoption of next-generation solutions. To learn more about the world-class training, disruptive engagement methodology and differentiated services and applications that has made Cloud Harmonics the distributor of choice for resellers and technology companies everywhere, please visit www.cloudharmonics.com.

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Heartbeats Packets Inside the Bypass TAP

If the inline security tool goes off-line, the TAP will bypass the tool and automatically keep the link flowing. The Bypass TAP does this by sending heartbeat packets to the inline security tool. As long as the inline security tool is on-line, the heartbeat packets will be returned to the TAP, and the link traffic will continue to flow through the inline security tool.

If the heartbeat packets are not returned to the TAP (indicating that the inline security tool has gone off-line), the TAP will automatically 'bypass' the inline security tool and keep the link traffic flowing. The TAP also removes the heartbeat packets before sending the network traffic back onto the critical link.

While the TAP is in bypass mode, it continues to send heartbeat packets out to the inline security tool so that once the tool is back on-line, it will begin returning the heartbeat packets back to the TAP indicating that the tool is ready to go back to work. The TAP will then direct the network traffic back through the inline security tool along with the heartbeat packets placing the tool back inline.

Some of you may have noticed a flaw in the logic behind this solution!  You say, “What if the TAP should fail because it is also in-line? Then the link will also fail!” The TAP would now be considered a point of failure. That is a good catch – but in our blog on Bypass vs. Failsafe, I explained that if a TAP were to fail or lose power, it must provide failsafe protection to the link it is attached to. So our network TAP will go into Failsafe mode keeping the link flowing.

Glossary

  1. Single point of failure: a risk to an IT network if one part of the system brings down a larger part of the entire system.

  2. Heartbeat packet: a soft detection technology that monitors the health of inline appliances. Read the heartbeat packet blog here.

  3. Critical link: the connection between two or more network devices or appliances that if the connection fails then the network is disrupted.

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