subject: Network Optical Tap [print this page] Network Optical Tap Network Optical Tap
Networking for collaboration is often fraught with security concerns. While wired networks cannot install firewalls and need software to be installed on each computer, wireless networks suffer from vulnerability to intrusion through the air. Though much has been done in the security sphere as businesses share critical intelligence through these networks, many key gaps are still left unattended and snoopers exploit them to the core. Therefore, it becomes crucial to monitor the traffic. A network optical tap helps you do that.
How Does A Network Optical Tap Work?
Being a passive tap, optical taps are not recognized even when they are hooked to the network. In simple terms, they are designed to monitor traffic from point A to point B by an intermediary placement.
Optical taps enable surveillance professionals to view network traffic in real time through a single access point. However the prerequisite to any network tap is its zero liability on the network and no data loss. It should function like a gateway but it should not impede or delay transmission of data transmission.
Applications of a Network Optical Tap
The first thing that comes to mind when talking about optical taps is security. However, the truth is that network optical taps have application ranging from intrusion detection to VoIP recording. Some of the other applications include:
Network probing: Often the network slows down and the source becomes difficult to find. With an optical tap deployed, one can easily identify the source and fix it for enhancing the network speed.
Packet sniffing: An optical tap can also help you in capturing each packet that passes through the network and decode it if needed.
Network optical taps are deployed in networks as they are non-obtrusive. They do not interfere with the network functioning and are as effective in a full duplex network as in half-duplex or non-shared networks. They pass the traffic in case of power outage or any internal break down.
