Today, there are two opposing approaches to network connectivity and network visualization access: SPAN ports vs. Network Test Access Points or Traffic Access Points (TAPs). Which are you using?
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That’s the question a new whitepaper from Garland Technology asks. The report is an in-depth look into network visualization access.
Today’s requirements for security, monitoring, management, compliance, deep or historic captures and auditing of our networks require full and real time access to the packets that flow through our network.
Today’s network, security and management personnel must have full access, and using test access point (TAP) technology is the only viable and reliable technology for that job, Garland asserts.
Are you still using a SPAN port for network visibility? Industry best practice is to use a Network TAP (test access point), the report contends. Network security and management professionals today must have 100% access to network traffic. This whitepaper covers the value of test and traffic access points and removes all the misinformation, according to Garland.
During any deployment, there are many different factors that go into your connectivity strategy and design. The report also includes a guide to five of these that may seem like common sense but should always be a part of your mental check list.
“Real visualization is everything. If you cannot see an issue, like an attack, misusage, inefficiency, etc., then how are you going to understand it and resolve it?” — Tim O’Neill, OLDCOMMGUY
Later in the report, Garland provides a list of what it sees as the advantages of TAPs compared to SAN TAPs. For example, TAPs create complete 100% copy of bi-directional network traffic providing full fidelity for network monitoring, and also do not alter the time relationships of frames, spacing and response times.
As enterprises migrate from 10Mb to Gigabit to 40 Gigabit networks and with the demands of seeing all frames for data security and policy compliance and more, real access TAP technology can help fulfill the demands of today’s complex analysis and monitoring technologies.
The new white paper from Garland Technology also explores:
• Which technology captures 100% full duplex traffic
• What are today’s lawful intercept requirements
• What happens when packets are dropped because a SPAN port is oversubscribed
Download the full report, “TAP vs. SPAN: Network Visualization Considerations for Professionals,” courtesy of Garland Technology.