Black Box TS250A Specifications

Monitor high-speed, full duplex links
without network disruption.
Monitor high-speed, full duplex links
without network disruption.
10/100/1000 Copper Tap
© 2007. All rights reserved. Black Box Corporation.
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FEATURES
• Offers complete network visibility regardless of traffic levels.
• Provides passthrough signals and separate copies of the TX and RX signals.
• Autonegotiates speed to transfer data at rates of 10, 100, and 1000 Mbps.
• Operates transparently.
• Doesn’t block error packets.
• Can be left in place permanently.
• Connect and disconnect monitoring devices without network disruption.
• Provides continuous network data flow if the power fails.
• Mount three taps in one rackmount bracket.
10/100/1000 Copper Tap with Gigabit switch/server link under test.
OVERVIEW
Get a complete and accurate view into the traffic on your 10-/100-/1000-Mbps Ethernet network without any network disruption or downtime.
The Copper Tap provides a complete copy of data from a full-duplex copper link to your network analyzer. First, the Tap replicates the full-duplex signal from the network. Then it sends one signal back to the network and the other signal to a monitoring device equipped with a dual-receive capture card.
Use the Tap with all types of equipment: network and protocol analyzers, security monitoring devices, remote monitoring applications, RMON probes, and more.
The Tap operates passively and works regardless of traffic levels. Once you install the Tap, you can leave it in permanently without interfering with network operation or introducing a point of failure. You can even connect and disconnect different monitoring devices without interrupting the network.
The Rackmount Bracket holds three Copper Taps.
10/100/1000 Copper Tap
(TS250A)
10-/100-/1000-Mbps
copper interface
Server (DTE) Gigabit switch (DCE)
Link under test
2/13/2007 #26541
SPAN Port
The Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN) port is a port on a network switch used to send a copy of network data to a monitoring device. SPAN ports are commonly configured to be connected to devices that require monitoring of network traffic, such as a protocol analyzer.
In a SPAN session, or port mirroring, the switch copies the send and receive data and constructs an integrated data stream. It routes this stream through the send channels of the SPAN port to a monitoring device. Because both channels are integrated into one, the SPAN port can only support a maximum of 50 percent link utilization. This is because a full duplex data stream can reach 2000 Mbps (1000 Mbps in each direction). A SPAN port can only transfer a total of 1000 Mbps at a time to the monitoring device. Once utilization passes 1000 Mbps, packets are dropped. A SPAN session also filters out Layer 1 and Layer 2 and hides jitter, which is needed for VoIP analysis.
Network TAPs
A network Test Access Port (TAP) is a passive device that is set up, usually permanently, between any two network devices, such as a firewall and a switch. Network TAPs enable a copy of the data from the network to pass through to the connected devices. TAPs transmit both the send and receive data streams simultaneously on separate dedicated channels. TAPs pass an exact duplicate of the data by splitting or regenerating a full duplex signal. This occurs without delay, and the data is passed through at a full line rate of up to 2000 Mbps and arrives at the monitoring device in real time. The monitoring device must be capable of receiving and aggregating the two data streams.
TAPs are ideal for accessing full duplex connections because they don’t drop packets or filter out Layer 1 errors.
Technically Speaking
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2/13/2007 #26541
Recognize any of these situations?
• You wait more than 30 minutes to get through to a vendor’s tech support.
• The so-called “tech” can’t help you or gives you the wrong answer.
• You don’t have a purchase order number and the tech refuses to help you.
• It’s 9 p. m. and you need help, but your vendor’s tech support line is closed.
According to a survey by Data Communications magazine, 90% of network managers surveyed say that getting the technical support they need is extremely important when choosing a vendor. But even though network managers pay anywhere from 10 to 20% of their overall purchase price for a basic service and support contract, the technical support and service they receive falls far short of their expectations— and certainly isn’t worth what they paid.
At Black Box, we guarantee the best value and the best support. You can even consult our Technical Support Experts before you buy if you need help selecting just the right component for your application.
Don’t waste time and money— call Black Box today.
Why Buy From Black Box? Exceptional Value. Exceptional Tech Support. Period.
TECH SPECS
CE Approval — Yes Interface — 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet Connectors — (2) RJ-45 analyzer ports, (2) RJ-45 link ports Indicators — (7) LEDs: (3) speed, (2) Link, (2) Analyzer Power — 90–264 VAC, 4–63 Hz Power Dissipation — Typical: 8 W; Maximum: 14 W Size — 1.1"H x 5.6"W x 7.6"D (2.8 x 14.2 x 19.3 cm)
Item Code
10/100/1000 Copper Tap TS250A
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