Data monitoring switch: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:24, 15 June 2016

Revision as of 19:58, 6 October 2019

Line 6:

== Function ==

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Net Optics Director.PNG|380px|thumb| Standard Data monitoring switch with 1U chassis, high port density {{deletable image-caption}}]] -->

A data monitoring switch typically provides 24 to 38 ports in a 1U 19-inch chassis, with higher port density devices expected in the future (ask about dimensions from the vendor - devices with higher port density or many card slots may be 2U or larger). Ports may be dedicated as network inputs or tool outputs, or may be configurable as either, with most product trending toward the latter. Network input ports may be paired to provide in-line connectivity (integrated [[Network tap|Tap]] function), or out of band (mirrored) to take input from external network Taps or network switch [[SPAN port]]sports. Some devices have the ability to interconnect chassis to configure logical systems with hundreds of ports, although user interface complexity can serve as a limiting factor in many products.

When a number of monitoring tools are connected to the data monitoring switch’s tool ports, copies of traffic from any of the network ports can be switched to any of the tools using the data monitoring switch’s management interface. A unique characteristic of the data monitoring switch, as opposed to matrix switches and aggregating Taps, is that it can support a flexible set of port mappings including: