Think back to the 1980s and 1990s, the early days of IT, when portable network analyzers were the talk of the town. These massive suitcase-sized analyzers might have been anything but portable, but they represented a simpler time when network analysis was merely temporary.
As network engineers soon realized, traffic demands would require a greater level of visibility, and network design required permanent data center rack solutions.
Forcing Portable TAPs to be Permanent
When the need for permanent network TAP (test access point) solutions emerged, some providers took their existing portable TAPs, stuck screw-on ears onto the box, put it in a rack mount and started calling it a data center solution.
This created a cabling nightmare when taking into account each copper gigabit TAP required two power sources (that's two power bricks for each portable network TAP that might be mounted in the data center). This might be acceptable if there was an isolated need for a TAP, but what about when there was a need to have 10, 20 or even more? Further, supporting numerous power cables resulted in the requirement of a power distribution unit, because plugging it into a Universal Power Supply wasn't an option.
HINT: When paying for a data center on the basis of space, cooling, and power consumption, try to avoid any infrastructure complications, and additional monthly charges.
Forget Portable
Whether you're building a new data center or upgrading an existing one, make certain you ask, "Why are you clinging to a portable network TAP variation or make-shift solution?"
Networking decision makers have relied on the idea of portable network TAPs for so long, they have grown accustomed to coping with make-shift solutions. So, while the mess of cables isn't all network administrators may have to contend with, they might also have to worry about power failure from accidentally unplugging a cable, or maybe even see the use of lithium batteries to ensure the power connectivity, but none of these are solutions, as they each introduce more problems.
It's Time to Forgo the Portable TAP Variations
Whether you're building a new data center or upgrading an existing one, make certain you ask, "Why are you clinging to a portable network TAP variation or make-shift solution?"
Data centers with extensive TAP needs require a chassis solution that can provide multiple TAPs in a 1U or 2U box; a modular chassis solution that can be built specifically for permanent data center placement and eliminates the cabling mess while providing reliable power to copper gigabit network TAPs.
The Latest
The use of hybrid multicloud models is forecasted to double over the next one to three years as IT decision makers are facing new pressures to modernize IT infrastructures because of drivers like AI, security, and sustainability, according to the Enterprise Cloud Index (ECI) report from Nutanix ...
Over the last 20 years Digital Employee Experience has become a necessity for companies committed to digital transformation and improving IT experiences. In fact, by 2025, more than 50% of IT organizations will use digital employee experience to prioritize and measure digital initiative success ...
While most companies are now deploying cloud-based technologies, the 2024 Secure Cloud Networking Field Report from Aviatrix found that there is a silent struggle to maximize value from those investments. Many of the challenges organizations have faced over the past several years have evolved, but continue today ...
In our latest research, Cisco's The App Attention Index 2023: Beware the Application Generation, 62% of consumers report their expectations for digital experiences are far higher than they were two years ago, and 64% state they are less forgiving of poor digital services than they were just 12 months ago ...
In MEAN TIME TO INSIGHT Episode 5, Shamus McGillicuddy, VP of Research, Network Infrastructure and Operations, at EMA discusses the network source of truth ...
A vast majority (89%) of organizations have rapidly expanded their technology in the past few years and three quarters (76%) say it's brought with it increased "chaos" that they have to manage, according to Situation Report 2024: Managing Technology Chaos from Software AG ...
In 2024 the number one challenge facing IT teams is a lack of skilled workers, and many are turning to automation as an answer, according to IT Trends: 2024 Industry Report ...
Organizations are continuing to embrace multicloud environments and cloud-native architectures to enable rapid transformation and deliver secure innovation. However, despite the speed, scale, and agility enabled by these modern cloud ecosystems, organizations are struggling to manage the explosion of data they create, according to The state of observability 2024: Overcoming complexity through AI-driven analytics and automation strategies, a report from Dynatrace ...
Organizations recognize the value of observability, but only 10% of them are actually practicing full observability of their applications and infrastructure. This is among the key findings from the recently completed Logz.io 2024 Observability Pulse Survey and Report ...
Businesses must adopt a comprehensive Internet Performance Monitoring (IPM) strategy, says Enterprise Management Associates (EMA), a leading IT analyst research firm. This strategy is crucial to bridge the significant observability gap within today's complex IT infrastructures. The recommendation is particularly timely, given that 99% of enterprises are expanding their use of the Internet as a primary connectivity conduit while facing challenges due to the inefficiency of multiple, disjointed monitoring tools, according to Modern Enterprises Must Boost Observability with Internet Performance Monitoring, a new report from EMA and Catchpoint ...
