Active response communications network tap

• US 20060153092A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keysight Technologies Singapore Sales Pte Ltd (Keysight Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Net Optics Incorporated (Keysight Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Carpio, Dennis A., Matityahu, Eldad, Shaw, Robert E., Strong, Stephen H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,320,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks

Abstract

An active response network tap for use in monitoring a network comprises a first device interface terminal, a second device interface terminal, a first monitor interface terminal, and a second monitor interface terminal. A tap structure is coupled to the first device interface terminal, second device interface terminal, first monitor interface terminal and second monitor interface terminal. A memory is coupled to the tap structure and configured to store data. In one aspect, the tap structure is configured to communicate full-duplex traffic between the tap structure and a monitor device coupled to a monitor interface terminal. In another aspect, the tap structure is configured to insert data from a monitor coupled to the first monitor interface into the traffic between the first device and the second device. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide monitor access to a network while also supporting communication with other network devices.

Claims

1. An active response network tap for use in monitoring a network, comprising:

a first device interface terminal, and a second device interface terminal;

a first monitor interface terminal, and a second monitor interface terminal;

a tap structure coupled to the first device interface terminal, the second device interface terminal, the first monitor interface terminal and second monitor interface terminal; and

a memory coupled to the tap structure and configured to store data.

2. The active response network tap of claim 1, wherein:

the tap structure is configured to communicate full-duplex traffic between a first device coupled to the first interface terminal and a second device coupled to the second interface terminal; and

the tap structure is configured to communicate full-duplex traffic between a monitor coupled to the first monitor interface terminal.

3. The active response network tap of claim 1, wherein:

the memory is configured to operate as a buffer storing burst traffic data.

4. The active response network tap of claim 2, wherein:

the memory is configured to operate as a buffer storing burst traffic data.

5. The active response network tap of claim 2, wherein:

the tap structure is configured to insert data from the monitor coupled to the first monitor interface into the traffic between the first device and the second device.

6. The active response network tap of claim 5, wherein:

the memory is configured to operate as a buffer storing burst traffic data.

7. A method of monitoring network traffic using a tap comprising a first device interface terminal, a second device interface terminal, a first monitor interface terminal, a second monitor interface terminal, a tap structure coupled to the terminals, and a memory coupled to the tap structure, comprising the step of:

communicating full-duplex traffic between a first device coupled to the first interface terminal and a second device coupled to the second interface terminal; and

communicating full-duplex traffic between the tap structure and a monitor coupled to the first monitor interface terminal

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

inserting data from the monitor coupled to the first monitor interface into the traffic between the first device and the second device.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

storing burst traffic data in the memory.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

storing burst traffic data in the memory.