Re: New to network tap

In article <442ab991$0$23547$ba620e4c@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Ben_" <reply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
Hello,

We are studying a solution based on a network tap.

What is the task? :-)

http://www.netoptics.com/products/product_family_details.asp?cid=1&pid=4&Sec
tion=store&menuitem=1

I'm not a network expert but I need to understand the implications of using
such device.

I'm familiar with layer 3+, but this kind of device addresses problems with
lower layers and I hope you can help with.

For example:
* Marketing material claims "eliminating packet delay and loss as potential
security issues".
-> Implies that Taps of other kind can introduce delay. But such device
looks so basic to me that I can hardly imagine it can introduce latency or
packet drop. Could it ?

If they compare it to devices that terminate the link and "hub" the
signals, sure.

* This device supports 10/100 MB.
-> Why cannot it support 1GB ?

Passively monitoring 1000BaseT requires far more sophistication than
just terminate the link due to the analogue training techniques employed.
Similar as trying to listen to a modem in between as compared to a DS0.

* Redundant power supply ?
-> Why is power required ? What wrong can happen if there is a power failure
?
* There is some electronic in the box and probably firmware / software.
-> What does it do ? I thaught it was just hardware.

Well it has to connect to your data-logger. And it is extremly
difficult to do so without power.

--
Manfred Kwiatkowski kwiatkowski@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
.