Patent attributes
The present invention provides for network taps capable of connecting to a plurality of communication cables. The network taps provide one or more levels of multiplexers which allow network data signals from a particular communication cable to be delivered to an attached device in order to monitor the activity of the communication cable. The network taps also include integrated circuitry which control the various functions and components of the network tap. Embodiments of the network taps include ones in which network data signals from each communication cable are communicated to the integrated circuitry to allow the integrated circuitry to monitor across all communication cables; network taps having switches to provide for different port configurations; network taps having switches which allow attached devices to transmit data into the network tap; network taps having ports which allow for cascade configurations; and network taps having integrated circuitry which can communicate with a remote client device to provide additional functionality.
