Packet Brokers

Fully modular, next-generation hybrid packet brokers

COMPARE PRODUCTS PRODUCT LIST

Understanding Network Packet Brokers

Network Packet Brokers, also known as monitoring switches, tool aggregators and data access switches, are hardware devices that are used to gain insight into exactly what traffic is required for those solutions to perform better. They generate this information by facilitating security and monitoring technologies. Network Packet Brokers are able to reduce resource waste, costs and of course, the possibility of hacking. This is because NPBs can apply specific rules and filters before they forward the traffic to your various network tools, such as performance management, network security, and other monitoring tools.

The ‘Broker’ in Network Packet Broker refers to its ability to combine, integrate, separate, manipulate and process inputs from many sources, delivering the data to a wide variety of appliances and tool destinations. Delivering the right data to the right tool will optimize security and performance.

Network Critical’s SmartNA™ Network Packet Broker range is hybrid, so in a 1U device, you get both Network TAP technology as well as Packet Broker technology. This makes our packet brokers highly effective in saving costs, and rack space.

The SmartNA range offers high quality core features:

  • Zero packet loss with total traffic capture
  • Intelligent aggregation of traffic from multiple Network TAPs or SPAN ports
  • Intelligent traffic filtering, ensuring that security and monitoring tools see all the data they need
  • Load-balance traffic to multiple monitoring and analysis tools
  • Single pane-of-glass GUI, Drag-n-Vu™ rule optimisation engine calculates all filter rule interaction automatically
  • Application layer visibility allows efficient packet processing on individual L7 protocols
  • NC-Packet-Broker-3-Step-qfop1iimqqccs74i426zeheufv6wdxkshj8k3iqu0c
See the range

Intelligent Hybrid TAPs

Network Critical’s hybrid TAPs provide high quality performance and flexibility needed to manage tools that protect network infrastructure, secure information and keep up with the ever-changing attack environment.

DISCOVER

SmartNA-PortPlus™

The SmartNA-PortPlus™ provides a scalable range from 48 ports to 194 ports of 1/10/25/40 and 100Gbps visibility, enabling users to interconnect different network protection and monitoring tools quickly and easily. Packaged in a compact single RU chassis the SmartNA-PortPlus™ offers immediate value for today and an efficient path to the inevitable optimisations of tomorrow.

DISCOVER

SmartNA-PortPlus HyperCore™

The SmartNA-PortPlus HyperCore™ offers 32 QSFP-DD interfaces, all of which can directly support port speeds up to 400 Gbps access in a non-blocking single RU chassis.  Breakout cables can be utilised to expand port count up to 256 ports of 10/25/40/50G, all from the same 1RU chassis.

DISCOVER

The SmartNA-PortPlus™ Packet Broker

The SmartNA-PortPlus™ is a high-powered Network Packet Broker solution that delivers complete network access for your security and performance appliances. Totally scalable, the SmartNA-PortPlus™ can grow with your network, future-proofing your existing tool investments.

Visibility Into Every Packet

As networks constantly grow in complexity, size and speed, organizations must efficiently and economically connect and provide relevant visibility to all of their security and monitoring appliances at ever increasing speeds and varying physical media, without impacting network visibility and reliability. Deliver uncompromising insight into the traffic traveling across your network, centralizing and improving network efficiency and ROI across your security and monitoring infrastructures.

Network Critical Packet Broker Systems enable you to:

  • Filter, Aggregate and Load-Balance traffic collected by Intelligent TAPs across your network in real-time.
  • Utilize Single-Pane Management with the Unique Drag-n-Vu™ Interface for simple, intelligent port-mapping.
  • Deploy with ultimate scalability, using a fully-modular design to expand as your infrastructure evolves.

Discuss requirements

Our Testimonials

'Unauthorized manipulation of our monitoring systems can have serious safety and production consequences. Network Critical TAP’s help us manage security without impacting network traffic.'

BP

Senior Project Manager, Refining Operations

'Developing and monitoring Key Performance Indicators is all about accuracy of information. The Network Critical products are providing 100% accurate traffic visibility on the key links, which is vital for us'

VODAFONE

Network Performance Monitoring Engineer

'I had great pleasure in working with Network Critical and their senior network teams to create and deploy a unique global visibility network infrastructure that maximizes their current and future monitoring requirements.'

HSBC

Senior Technical Consultant

READ MORE

Knowledge Hub

Your network security solution begins here. Explore curated resources to elevate skills, boost visibility, and pave the way for success.

LEARN MORE