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Switched network
Switch is a network device working on the Data Link Layer of OSI.
Switch can learn the physical addresses and save these addresses in its ARP table. When a packet is sent to switch, switch will check the packet’s destination address from its ARP table and then send the packet to the corresponding port.
Network with managed switches
Generally all three-layer switches and partial two-layer switches have the ability of network management; the traffic going through other ports of the switch can be captured from the debugging port (mirror port/span port) on the core chip. To analyze the traffic going through all ports, Javvin Packet Analyzer should be installed on this debugging port (mirror port/span port).
The following table presents the advantages and disadvantages of using a switch with mirror port.
Advantage |
Disadvantage |
- No additional facility required
- No need to change network topology
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- Occupies a switch port
- Possible influence to network transmission performance when meeting huge traffic
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Topology illustration 2:
Network with unmanaged switches
If your switch has no management function, you can:
Connect a tap with the line to be monitored
Taps can be flexibly placed on any line in network. When the requirement for network performance is very high, you can add a tap to connect your network. The following table presents the advantages and disadvantages of using a tap.
Advantage |
Disadvantage |
- No influence to network transmission performance
- No interference with data stream and raw data
- Does not occupy IP address, free from network attacks
- No need to change network topology
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- High cost
- Additional facility (tap) required
- Requires dual adapters
- Can not connect Internet
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Topology illustration 3:
Connect a hub with the line to be monitored
Working on share mode, hubs are applicable for small networks.
Advantage |
Disadvantage |
- Low cost
- No need to be configured
- No need to change network topology
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- Additional facility (hub) required
- Interference to network transmission performance when meeting huge traffic
- Not applicable for big networks
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Topology illustration 4:
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