TAP into Technology

SPAN WARS: Dropping packets in a network near you

on 5/2/19 8:00 AM By | Chris Bihary | 0 Comments | Network TAPs TAPs vs SPAN

You’ve been tasked with implementing a new performance monitoring tool in your network for advanced application layer visibility. After extensive research you’ve decided a Flowmon Probe is the best solution for your needs, allowing the monitoring of network performance, enhancing user experience, and optimizing MS SQL database performance. Beyond that it will also deliver detailed information about who communications with whom, when, how long, how often, how much data has been sent, and much more information from L2 - L4.

Back view of businessman reading documents in hand

Does packet loss really matter?

on 2/21/19 8:00 AM By | Chris Bihary | 0 Comments | TAPs vs SPAN

Packet loss is defined as the failure of one or more transmitted packets to arrive at their destination. While every network can expect to encounter some packet loss from time to time, significant or sustained packet loss does require investigation into the root cause.

young handsome business man engeneer in datacenter server room-5

Foundation of Visibility: 6 Reasons to Choose TAPs instead of SPAN

on 12/18/18 8:00 AM By | Juan Garza | 0 Comments | Network TAPs TAPs vs SPAN

Designing your network infrastructure, whether it’s for an upgrade or a new data center, is a complex project filled with many challenges. But one that should be easy to overcome is the decision to rely on Network TAPs as the foundation of visibility, rather than using SPAN or Mirror Ports. Today’s networks demand complete visibility by passing all live wire data, guaranteed 100% uptime for active, inline security tools, and no packet loss for out-of-band tools.

When A Simple SPAN Port Is Enough

on 9/11/18 8:00 AM By | Steve Harris | 0 Comments | Network Management TAPs vs SPAN

The two most common ways to access and replicate data within your network are TAP and SPAN technology. A Test Access Point (TAP) is a hardware device that copies all of your network data. SPAN or Switch Port Analyzer are mirroring ports within a switch that copies specific data. Network TAPs are always an industry best practice but in a few specific situations when a SPAN port suffices. When monitoring products are looking for low bandwidth application layer events like “conversation or connection analysis,” “application flows,” and applications where real time and knowing real delta times are not important. SPAN could also be used in a remote location that doesn’t justify a permanent deployment, offering temporary access for troubleshooting.

Young thoughtful handsome man in casual thinking over the ideas

TAP Test: Do you need a Network TAP?

on 7/19/18 8:00 AM By | Tim O'Neill | 0 Comments | Network TAPs TAPs vs SPAN

Whether you are proactively designing a network for a new office or data center location, or looking to make changes to your current infrastructure, there are a lot of questions to ask during the initial design phase.

IT Network Aggregation Considerations for Systems Engineers

Understanding Advanced Features in a Network Packet Broker

on 7/12/18 8:00 AM By | Jerry Dillard | 0 Comments | Network TAPs TAPs vs SPAN Network Packet Brokers/Advanced Aggregators

Network Packet Brokers (NPBs) have come a long way from their modest roots as data monitoring switches, though their intended application remains nearly the same. The NPB is still primarily used as a device to maximize the performance of monitoring and security tools. The NPB’s most important features remain unchanged, these includes, 1:1, 1:N, N:1, and N:N port mappings, full L2-L4 filtering options, and configurable load balancing options. In the pursuit of gaining a competitive advantage, vendors continue to add advanced features. This adds complexity in selecting the right product for your network. The key to selecting the right product is the understanding of each advanced feature and its alternatives. Looking at Deduplication, SSL/TLS decryption, and Netflow generation are a good place to start. This is the second blog in a three-part series highlighting the Network Packet Broker. Check out the other blogs here: Blog 1: What is a Network Packet Broker? Blog 2: Understanding NPB advanced features Blog 3: Selecting the right NPB for your network

Garland Technology Products

Visibility Solutions

Resources

Blog

Partners

Company

Contact

Leading the Way in Network Technology

SPAN WARS: Dropping packets in a network near you

Does packet loss really matter?

Foundation of Visibility: 6 Reasons to Choose TAPs instead of SPAN

When A Simple SPAN Port Is Enough

TAP Test: Do you need a Network TAP?

Understanding Advanced Features in a Network Packet Broker

Blog Author

Topics

Sign up for blog updates

About Us

Navigation

Support