Net Optics iTap 10_100_1000BaseT Port Aggregator User Manual

Page 2

Advertising
background image

the next critical event.

Access Information Anywhere

The Web Manager and System Manager
allow you to remotely set parameters, view
status information, and monitor traffic
statistical data. These interfaces provide
security and performance information such
as the number of over- and under-sized
packets, packet collisions, and CRC errors.
You can remotely set the alarm thresholds,
clear the traffic data counters, and turn on
or off a Monitor Port. This access is also
available via an optional wireless link from

Buffers Absorb Bursts

When the traffic levels exceed the capacity
of the receiving NIC, the iTap Port
Aggregator stores the overflow traffic in
buffer memory. For high-load links, the
iTap Port Aggregator is available with 1GB
of memory. The buffers clear automatically
when the traffic volume falls below the
receiving capacity
of the NIC. These
buffers allow the iTap
Port Aggregator to
absorb traffic bursts
without dropping
packets.

Traffic Monitoring

The iTap Port Aggregator monitors the
utilization levels of both sides of the full-
duplex link. Knowing the utilization levels
is critical in determining if packets could
be dropped during high-load periods.
This information is displayed on the front
panel and is available from the remote
interfaces. The iTap Port Aggregator
allows you to set a threshold for each
side of the full-duplex link at which an
alarm is triggered. For example, the iTap

Port Aggregator can warn you when the
utilization in either direction passes the
30% level. When a threshold level is
exceeded, the alarm LED illuminates and
the remote interfaces record the event.
The iTap Port Aggregator records the level
of the highest peak along with the date
and time. Since the iTap Port Aggregator
is monitoring the utilization levels, this
information is always available regardless
of the aggregation process.

Seeing is Believing

The display and alarm LEDs provide a
quick visual check that the utilization
levels are not exceeding the capacity
of the monitoring device or a pre-
determined threshold. From the display,
you can view the current bandwidth
utilization of each side of a full-duplex
link with the size and time of the highest
peak. A quick check of the display lets
you know if there was an event that
requires further investigation. After
taking action on a utilization or peak
event, you can reset the data from a
recessed reset button on the front panel
or from a remote interface. The iTap Port
Aggregator is ready to detect and display

iTap Port Aggregators form an early warning

system to detect network anomalies.

The greatest peaks are also displayed

Current utilization is available at a glance

Advertising