Understanding TAPs
Test Access Points, or TAPs, are physical devices integrated into a network to capture and replicate network traffic. Positioned directly within the network, TAPs intercept all data passing through them. They provide a copy of this traffic, which can be used for various purposes such as monitoring, security analysis, and forensics. For example, TAPs can capture packets for application monitoring, offering IT teams valuable insights into network performance. Regeneration TAPs can provide multiple copies of network traffic from one input port to many output ports feeding multiple monitoring and security tools.
Understanding SPAN Ports
Switch Port Analysers, commonly known as SPAN Ports, are software features within network switches that allow the duplication of data traffic to specific ports for monitoring purposes. SPAN Ports are particularly useful for ad hoc monitoring or in remote locations with low traffic levels, where deploying a TAP may not be necessary.
Why Choose TAPs Over SPAN Ports?
While both TAPs and SPAN Ports serve to replicate data for monitoring, they differ significantly in reliability. SPAN Ports, embedded in switches or routers, provide a copy of the data they handle. However, under heavy network load, SPAN Ports may (depending on switch architecture) miss some traffic, leading to incomplete monitoring. In contrast, TAPs capture and replicate all network traffic, regardless of load, ensuring more reliable and comprehensive monitoring.
TAPs are also easier to configure, requiring only a one-time physical connection to the network. SPAN Ports, however, introduce added complexity, as they must be reconfigured whenever the monitoring source changes. This reconfiguration process can be time-consuming and may lead to inconsistent reporting. Moreover, incorrect configuration of SPAN Ports can impact network performance or even cause network outages.
Using a SPAN port introduces unnecessary risk to the network. If you consider that a switch is a critical component in a network, burdening it with the extra task of copying everything it sees, especially during times of peak utilisation, is asking a lot, which is unnecessary when a TAP can do this. What’s more a TAPp doesn’t introduce risk. In the highly unlikely event that a TAP fails (we’ve never known one to), they can ‘fail open’, which means they’ll continue copying traffic for you. If a switch fails, you’re in trouble!
Why TAPs are the smarter, safer choice
Whilst SPAN Ports offer a quick and straightforward method for network monitoring, especially in low-traffic scenarios, they are generally less reliable than TAPs. Due to the added complexity of reconfiguration and the risk of inaccurate or missed data, TAPs are the more dependable choice for critical monitoring and analysis.
At Red Helix, we offer scalable copper and optical network TAPs from world-leading manufacturers and can recommend and install the right TAPs to solve your unique challenges.
