Net Optics intros port aggregator taps for fiber Gigabit networks

May 4, 2005 Sunnyvale, CA -- Net Optics, a provider of passive monitoring access products for security and network management applications, has launched a series of port aggregator taps that the company says are optimized for high-speed performance on both fiber and copper Gigabit networks.

The company says its GigaBit Fiber Port Aggregator Taps are all-optical devices designed and tested for superior performance on Gigabit fiber links, while remaining passive and transparent to the network. The devices are available with either single or dual monitor ports. The taps' Link Fault Signaling feature enables connected devices with critical information about link status.

The company says the taps simplify aggregation and preserve data integrity with generous buffers on each side of a duplex link, enabling any two devices to simultaneously monitor at full-duplex, while using only one NIC per device. According to the company, the taps require no additional components or configuration of monitoring devices to deliver 100% traffic visibility.

Typically, according to the company, full-duplex monitoring with a network tap requires two NICs, or a dual channel NIC, with one interface for each side of a tapped full-duplex connection. The company says its Gigabit Dual Port Aggregator Tap combines and regenerates the two half-duplex streams, sending all aggregated data out to two separate passive monitoring ports; the tap's onboard memory ensures traffic isn't dropped during traffic bursts.