Datacom VERSAstream™ VS-M8S2Q Network Packet Broker
Performance: A compact Network Packet Broker supporting up to 16 ports at 1G/10G or 8 ports at 1G/10G and 2 ports at 40G. Ideal for efficient network monitoring and data aggregation in modern IT environments.
Datacom VERSAstream™ VS-M8S2Q Network Packet Broker
The Datacom VERSAstream™ VS-M8S2Q Network Packet Broker offers a powerful and flexible solution to enhance network visibility. This device allows the delivery of the right traffic to the right tool at the right time from anywhere in the network. It combines network links or channels into a data stream, replicates, filters, and distributes network packets to the assigned monitoring tools. This significantly improves the effectiveness and performance of network monitoring and security tools.
About Network Packet Broker
A Network Packet Broker (NPB) is a specialized device or software solution installed between an enterprise's network infrastructure and their security and management tools. Its main task is to collect, process, and forward traffic to the appropriate monitoring tools. Here are some of the main features and functions that define a Packet Broker:
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Aggregation: A Packet Broker collects traffic from multiple network links and combines these data streams into a single stream. This allows for a more comprehensive view of network conversations and facilitates monitoring.
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Regeneration: Packet Brokers can duplicate network traffic and send it to multiple connected tools, allowing several monitoring and security tools to use the same data sources.
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Filtering: Hardware-based filtering from Layer 2 to Layer 4 allows only specific traffic to be forwarded that is of interest for analysis or monitoring. This reduces the amount of redundant traffic and improves the efficiency of monitoring tools.
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Load Balancing: A Packet Broker can distribute incoming traffic across multiple output channels. This helps evenly distribute the load across different monitoring tools and prevents overloading of individual tools.
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Security Features: Packet Brokers often offer advanced security features such as automatic failover and recovery protocols (e.g., LINKprotect™), increasing the reliability and resilience of network monitoring.
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Management and Notifications: They offer extensive management and monitoring features via protocols like SNMP, SYSLOG, and email notifications. This facilitates network status management and monitoring, enabling a quick response to issues.
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Flexibility: Packet Brokers support various port types and speeds (e.g., SFP+, QSFP), allowing flexible adaptation to the existing network infrastructure. They can be used in various network environments (copper, fiber).
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Scalability: They are designed to scale with increasing network traffic and growing demands. This makes them future-proof and extends the lifespan of existing monitoring tools.
These features make a Network Packet Broker an indispensable tool for modern networks, improving visibility and security, optimizing network performance, and enhancing the efficiency of monitoring tools.
Package Contents:
- 1 x VERSAstream™ VS-M8S2Q Network Packet Broker
- 2 x external AC adapters
- 1 x user manual
- 1 x warranty card
Main Features:
- Network Tap Speed: 1G/10G/40G
- Ports:
- Eight (8) SFP+ ports and two (2) QSFP ports
- Management port: RJ45
- Console port: USB Device Mode
- Flexible Deployment:
- Supports up to 16 1G/10G ports with breakout cables
- Monitoring of 40G sources with 10G tools
- Hardware-Based Filtering:
- IPv4/IPv6 source and destination addresses, subnets
- MAC addresses source and destination addresses
- Ports, Ethertypes, VLAN
- Aggregation and Regeneration:
- Combining multiple network links into one data stream
- Sending data copies to multiple tools for data source sharing
- Security and Management:
- SSH and SNMP v2c, v3
- Radius, TACACS+ authentications
- Redundant power supply and fans
- SNMP, SYSLOG, and email notifications
Technical Specifications:
- Any-to-Any Ports: Eight (8) SFP+ and two (2) QSFP ports or sixteen (16) SFP+ ports with breakout cables
- Physical Dimensions: 3.81 x 21.08 x 31.75 cm
- Weight: 2.2 kg
- Operating Temperature: 0º to 55ºC
- Storage Temperature: -30º to 65ºC
- Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
- Certifications: CE, RoHS, CB IEC 62368-1
- Emissions: FCC, EN, ICES-003
Power Requirements:
- Two (2) external AC adapters (included)
- Input: 100-240 VAC, 50-60Hz, 1.3A
- Maximum Power Consumption: 60 watts or less
Additional Information:
A Network Packet Broker like the VERSAstream™ VS-M8S2Q enhances network visibility by collecting, aggregating, filtering, and distributing traffic to the appropriate monitoring tools. This eliminates blind spots and significantly improves the effectiveness of network monitoring and security. With features such as aggregation, regeneration, and hardware-based filtering, you can optimize your IT infrastructure and extend the lifespan of your existing tools.
Benefits:
- Eliminates blind spots in traditional architectures and improves security through comprehensive data analysis
- Speeds up the deployment of management, monitoring, and security tools without impacting the production network
- Creates an abstraction layer for security and management, separating infrastructure from applications and enabling quick changes and upgrades
- Optimizes technology infrastructure and modernizes data centers, allowing companies to better manage their traffic
- Data deduplication, filtering, and slicing reduce overall traffic volume and improve tool efficiency, lowering operating costs and extending the lifespan of existing infrastructure and connected tools
Ordering Information:
- Product Description:
- VERSAstream™ VS-M8S2Q Network Packet Broker - Supports 16 ports at 1G/10G or 8 at 1G/10G and 2 at 40G
- Optional Equipment:
- SFP-RJ45 10/100/1000BT Copper SFP Transceiver Module
- SFP-RJ45-10G 10G Copper SFP+ Transceiver Module
- SFP+SR/SX 10G/1G SFP Transceiver Module (50 or 62.5 Micron, 300m)
- SFP+LR/LX 10G/1G SFP+ Transceiver Module (9 Micron, 10km)
- SFP+DAC(2M) 10G SFP+ 2 Meter Direct Attach Passive Cable
- QSFP-40G-SR4 40G QSFP Fiber Transceiver (50 Micron, 150m)
- QSFP-40G-LR4 40G QSFP Fiber Transceiver (50 Micron, 10km)
- QSFP+DAC(2M) 40G QSFP 2 Meter Direct Attach Passive Cable
- RMC-2G Rack Mount Chassis - fits two units in 1RU
For further information, please visit our download area. There you will find a PDF with an overview of all available Packet Brockers!
Application Scenarios:
1. Network Security Monitoring
The VERSAstream™ VS-M8S2Q Network Packet Broker can be integrated into network security solutions to monitor all incoming and outgoing traffic and detect and analyze threats in real time. By aggregating and filtering data, security tools can process the necessary information more efficiently, improving the detection and response to security incidents.
2. Network Performance Monitoring
Use the Network Packet Broker to analyze network performance, identify bottlenecks, and optimize network utilization. By collecting and processing data from various network segments, IT teams can gain a comprehensive view of network performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure high availability and optimal performance.
3. Troubleshooting and Diagnosis
In the event of network issues, the VERSAstream™ VS-M8S2Q enables detailed monitoring of traffic to identify the causes of connection drops, packet losses, or other network errors. By providing accurate and filtered data to diagnostic tools, IT teams can locate and resolve problems faster, reducing network downtime.
4. Compliance and Logging
Companies can use the Network Packet Broker to ensure they meet legal and regulatory requirements by recording and retaining traffic. This is particularly important for industries with strict compliance requirements, such as financial services or healthcare, where traceability and data retention are crucial.
5. Network Forensics
In the event of a security incident, stored traffic can be used for forensic analysis to reconstruct the incident's sequence and identify the responsible parties. By accurately capturing and storing network data, IT teams and security experts can conduct in-depth analyses and take necessary measures to prevent future incidents.