Abstract: A high density network arrangement for managing an integrated secured multiple networks arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes a power module for providing power to a circuitry of the high density network arrangement. The arrangement also includes a plurality of network interfaces, wherein each network interface of the plurality of network interfaces is configured for coupling with a network arrangement. The arrangement further includes a processor for providing processing capability to the high density network arrangement. The arrangement yet also includes logic arrangement for managing data traffic flowing through the plurality of network interfaces, wherein the data traffic is configured to traverse the high density network arrangement between the plurality of network arrangement interfaces irrespective whether the power is provided to the circuitry of the high density network arrangement.

Abstract: A gigabits zero-delay arrangement for enabling continuous monitoring of data traversing through a network in a high-speed Ethernet environment is provided. The arrangement includes a high-speed network device configured for monitoring the data flowing through the network. The arrangement also includes a primary power source for providing a first power to circuitry of the gigabits zero-delay arrangement. The arrangement further includes a sensor controller configured for monitoring power flowing into the high-speed network device and for establishing an alternative communication link.

Abstract: A time machine arrangement for performing health check on a network environment is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports that that is configured for receiving and outputting network data traffic. The arrangement also includes a monitoring port for receiving at least a portion of the data traffic flowing through the network. The arrangement further includes a set of processors configured at least for managing and analyzing the data traffic. The set of processors includes a scheduler component for directing the data traffic, a filtering component for applying a set of filters on the set data traffic, an encryption component for encrypting the data traffic, and a trigger component for defining a set of conditions for storing the data traffic. The arrangement yet also includes a storage memory component for storing a copy of at least the portion of the data traffic flowing through the network environment.

Abstract: An arrangement in a network tap for monitoring state of a monitoring system is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports that includes a set of input network ports for receiving data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting the data traffic from the network tap. The arrangement also includes a monitoring port that is configured to receive the data traffic from the set of network ports and to forward the data traffic onward to the monitoring system. The arrangement further includes a logic component configured for executing a sequential heartbeat diagnostic test. The sequential heartbeat diagnostic test is configured for providing a first set of sequential heartbeat packets for testing and determining the state of the monitoring system. The arrangement yet also includes a logic component for activating one or more events when a failure condition exists for the state of the monitoring system.

Abstract: A network tap port aggregator for use in monitoring a network is provided. The network tap port aggregator includes a first device interface terminal for receiving a first network feed. The network tap port aggregator also includes a second device interface terminal for receiving a second network feed. The network tap port aggregator further includes a circuitry coupled with the first device interface terminal and with the second device interface terminal, the circuitry configured to monitor the first network feed and the second network feed and to aggregate the first network feed and the second network feed into an aggregated network feed. The network tap port aggregator yet also includes a first monitor interface terminal coupled to the circuitry for providing the aggregated network feed to a first network monitor that is external to the network tap port aggregator.

Abstract: An arrangement in a network device for facilitating multiple connection speeds with a network is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports that includes a set of input network ports for receiving data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting the data traffic from the network device. The arrangement also includes a logic component configured for managing the data traffic and for aggregating the data traffic. The arrangement further includes a monitoring port that is configured to receive the aggregated data traffic. The arrangement also includes a plurality of physical layer interfaces, wherein each physical layer interface is configured to support the multiple connection speeds. The arrangement moreover includes a media access controller that is configured to support at least a single connection speed of the multiple connection speeds.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling a plurality of monitoring functions to be performed on network data is provided. The apparatus includes a power module and a processor module. The apparatus also includes a set of network ports that includes a set of input network ports for receiving the data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting the data traffic from the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a switchboard arrangement that includes at least two chips that are configured to interact with one another to perform the plurality of monitoring functions on the data traffic received by the switchboard arrangement. The apparatus yet also includes logic module for analyzing the data traffic and for displaying the statistical data pertaining to the data traffic. The apparatus yet further includes a visual display arrangement that is configured for displaying the statistical data.

Abstract: A network arrangement for automatically displaying statistical data is provided. The arrangement includes a port for receiving data traffic, a physical interface layer for copying data traffic, and a bus for directing a copy of the data traffic to monitoring devices. The arrangement also includes logic arrangement for analyzing the copy of data traffic, which includes at least a Receive Data Valid signal (including a rising edge and a falling edge) and a Receive Clock signal (including a rising edge and a falling edge). The arrangement further includes incrementing a first counter when the Receive Data Valid rising edge is received and incrementing a second counter when at least one of the Receive Clock rising edge and the Receive Clock falling edge is received. The arrangement moreover includes logic arrangement for displaying statistical data pertaining to the data traffic and a visual display arrangement for displaying statistical data.

Abstract: A network tap monitors network information flow over a particular connection. By duplicating the signal and diverting a copy, the information flow can be analyzed, both in real time and without interference through the monitoring process. When the power to the tap is either turned on or off, however, the change in impedance in the tap's circuit can create an interference spike in the connection that interrupts the information flow. By reducing or eliminating the impedance change in the tap circuitry, such disruptive interruptions can be eliminated.

Abstract: An arrangement for processing data traffic flowing through a network is provided. The arrangement includes a data interface for receiving the data traffic. The arrangement also includes an inspection engine for analyzing the data traffic, wherein the analyzing is performed on at least payload data. The arrangement further includes means for routing the data traffic through the network, wherein the means for routing is configured to define one or more ports for transmitting the data traffic. The means for routing the data traffic is dynamic to balance the data traffic across multiple outgoing ports.

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.

Abstract: An arrangement in a network device for monitoring network traffic is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports, which includes a set of input network ports for receiving the network traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting the network traffic from the network device. The arrangement also includes a switch chip, wherein the switch chip is configured at least for analyzing the network traffic. The arrangement further includes a set of monitoring ports, which is configured to receive the network traffic from the set of network ports. The arrangement yet also includes a tap module, which is configured at least for intercepting at least part of the network traffic flowing through the network device and forwarding at least part of the network traffic to at least one of the set of monitoring ports.

Abstract: A director device arrangement for performing a plurality of monitoring functions on data traffic traversing through a network is provided. The director device arrangement includes a power module, a processor module, a set of network ports, a set of switch modules, and at least one monitoring ports. The set of switch modules is configured to include at least a first switch module and a second switch module that interact with one another to perform the plurality of monitoring functions on the data traffic received. The at least one monitoring port is configured to receive at least one of the data traffic traversing through the network, whereas the data traffic is configured to traverse the director device arrangement between the set of network ports irrespective whether power is provided to the circuitry, the processor module, and the set of switch modules of the director device arrangement.

Abstract: An arrangement in a network device for displaying statistical data pertaining to data traffic that traverses the network device is provided. The arrangement includes a power supply arrangement for providing power to circuitry of the network device. The arrangement also includes a set of network ports, which includes a set of input network ports for receiving the data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting the data traffic from the network device. The arrangement further includes logic arrangement for analyzing data traffic and for displaying statistical data pertaining to the data traffic. The arrangement yet also includes a visual display arrangement, which is configured to display the statistical data, whereas the data traffic is configured to traverse the network device between the set of input network ports and the set of output network ports irrespective whether power is provided to the circuitry of the network device.

Abstract: An arrangement in a network device for facilitating at least one of multiple connection speeds with a network, active response between a monitoring device and an end-device, and power over Ethernet (POE) over a network is provided. As a facilitator of multiple connection speeds, the arrangement includes a plurality of physical layer interface (PHY) and media access controller (MAC) that are configured to support multiple speeds. As a facilitator of active response, the arrangement includes a logic arrangement for multicasting a set of instructions that is sent from a monitoring port. As a facilitator of POE, the arrangement is configured to receive data traffic (e.g., data packets and/or power packets) through a first network port and to send the data traffic out a second network port.

Abstract: A director device arrangement for enabling a plurality of monitoring functions to be performed on data traffic traversing through a network is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports for receiving data traffic and outputting the data traffic. The arrangement further includes a set of switch chips, which is configured to include at least a first switch chip and a second switch chip, which are configured to interact with one another to perform the plurality of monitoring functions on the data traffic received by the set of switch chips. The arrangement yet also includes a set of monitoring ports, which is configured to receive at least one of the data traffic traversing through the network. The data traffic is configured to traverse the director device arrangement irrespective whether the power is provided to the circuitry of the director device arrangement.

Abstract: Intelligent network tap port aggregators for use in monitoring a network and methods for use therein are presented including: a number of device interface terminals for receiving network feeds; a tap structure coupled with device interface terminals, the tap structure configured to monitor the second network feeds and to aggregate the network feeds into an aggregated network feed; a monitor interface terminal coupled to the tap structure for providing the aggregated network feed to a network monitor; and a display coupled to the tap structure and configured to display selected network parameters corresponding to the network feeds. In some embodiments, the intelligent network tap port aggregator also includes: a network controller coupled with the tap structure for providing communication between the tap structure and a number of managing devices; and a managing device interface coupled with the network controller for providing Internet access to the network controller.

Abstract: A communications network tap, comprises a first terminal and a second terminal adapted to couple the tap in-line in the network and communicate data packets with network devices. A heartbeat generator is configured to generate a heartbeat signal, and a heartbeat insert circuit coupled to the first terminal and the heartbeat generator and configured to insert the heartbeat signal into data packets. A third terminal is coupled to the heartbeat insert circuit and adapted to couple the tap to a network monitor and communicate data packets with network monitor. A heartbeat remove circuit is coupled to the third terminal and configured to receive data packets from a network monitor and remove the heartbeat signal from the data packets. A heartbeat detector coupled to the heartbeat remove circuit and configured to detect whether the data packets include the heartbeat signal, and if not, to generate an alarm signal. A switch is coupled to the second terminal and configured to transmit data packets onto the network.

Abstract: A high-speed communications network tap includes a first terminal and a second terminal adapted to couple the tap in-line in the network and communicate data with network devices. A duplicator is coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to duplicate the data as a copy of the data. A processor is coupled to the duplicator and to a third terminal, and is configured to receive the copy of the data from the duplicator and to provide the data to the third terminal. The third terminal is adapted to couple the tap to a network monitor and send data to the network monitor. Advantages of the invention include the ability to duplicate high-speed communication network data for monitoring in an essentially zero delay.

Abstract: An active packet inspection device for a communications network, comprises a first terminal and a second terminal each adapted to couple the appliance in-line in the network and communicate data packets with network devices. A packet processor is coupled to the first terminal and second terminal and configured to normalize the data packets. A network search engine coupled to the packet processor and the memory, and configured to compare the data packets with the stored signatures, and when a match is found and other specified conditions are met, to perform an action identified in an associated rule. In one aspect, the network search engine includes a network search engine controller and a network search engine table including a memory configured to store a plurality of replicated signatures. Advantages of the invention include the ability to perform deep packet inspections actively on a communications network at high-speed.