A Network Packet Broker is an active device that directs selected raw data packets from network interfaces (typically via SPAN or tap points) to specific network service and monitoring devices, and performance management and security applications.Niagara’s NPB solutions perform a range of crucial functionalities, even for the most complex architectures and resource intensive networks including:
In their role as data analyzers, Niagara’s Packet Brokers can also handle deduplication of redundant (duplicate) packets before they reach analysis or security tools within the network, that are passed along by multiple taps forwarding their data traffic. The NPBs will eliminate those duplicates and make sure network tools do not waste resources on handling redundant data.Basic data packet manipulation schema includes one network link, to one tool (one-to-one), one network link to multiple tools (one-to-many), multiple network links to one tool (many-to-one) and multiple network links to multiple tools (many-to-many) – interlaced and load balanced into a network-wide fabric.
In all of Niagara’s NPB’s, network ports are connect to the non-blocking switching fabric via high grade, integrated transceivers. FabricFlow technology provides the ability to forward the traffic from one segment to any other segment (or from one port to any other port). Advanced FabricFlow capabilities are optionally available supporting filtering and load balancing, enabling optimization of the network cost effectiveness.
Traffic flow relationships between source and destination ports:
Aggregate traffic to single port
Other features include:
Product Name | 100Gb | 40Gb | 1/10 Gb | Features |
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Up to 32 ports | Up to 32 ports | Available as 10Gb break-out ports from 40Gb port | Users can select number of 40Gb or 100Gb ports |
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— | Up to 6 ports | Up to 48 ports. Additional 10Gb ports can be available as 10Gb break-out ports from 40Gb port | Pay-as-you-grow port license option |
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— | — | Up to 72 ports | — |
Product Name | 100Gb | 40Gb | 1/10 Gb | Features |
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Up to 8 ports | Up to 31 ports | Up to 64 ports (Up to 124 with 10Gb break out ports from 40Gb port) | Modular platform. Mix and match ports rate, type and functionality (inBypass, inPassive, inBroker)
Supports Traffic Intelligence with Packetron packet processor accelerator |
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Up to 8 ports | Up to 16 ports | Up to 32 ports (up to 64 ports with 10Gb break out ports from 40Gb port) | Modular platform.
Mix and match ports rate, type and functionality (inBypass, inPassive, inBroker) Supports Traffic Intelligence with Packetron packet processor accelerator |
Product Name | 100Gb | 40Gb | 1/10 Gb | Features |
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— | — | 16 | Additional 8 fixed configuration monitoring/Tap ports.
Bypass+Packet Broker. Up to 4 Bypass segments |