A network tap is a hardware device that provides a copy of network traffic for monitoring, analysis, and troubleshooting without interrupting the connection between network devices. Network taps are typically installed between network switches, routers, servers, and other devices, allowing monitoring tools to access traffic without placing additional processing demands on production equipment.
How Does a Network Tap Work?
A network tap sits between two network devices and copies the traffic passing through the connection, sending it to a monitoring or security tool. The original network traffic continues to its intended destination while the copied traffic is sent to the connected monitoring system.
Network taps can monitor traffic across copper or fiber connections and are commonly used for network performance monitoring, security analysis, troubleshooting, and compliance.
Types of Network Taps
- Passive network tap. A passive network tap copies network traffic without actively processing or modifying it. These taps are commonly used for monitoring connections where maintaining visibility into network traffic is critical.
- Active network tap. An active network tap uses powered electronics to copy and potentially aggregate network traffic before sending it to monitoring tools. Active taps can provide additional functionality and are often used in more complex or high-speed network environments.
Benefits of Network Taps
Network taps provide a dedicated way to access network traffic without affecting production connections. They can help IT teams monitor network performance, troubleshoot connectivity issues, identify potential security threats, and maintain visibility into network activity. Because network taps provide monitoring tools with a copy of network traffic, they can also help teams analyze traffic patterns, detect performance issues, and investigate network events without placing additional processing demands on production devices.
Want to see how Sunbird's DCIM software tool can help manage network taps? Get your free test drive today!