Network Packet Broker (NPB)

What is a Network Packet Broker (NPB)?

A Network Packet Broker (NPB) is an intelligent device installed between the network infrastructure and monitoring and management tools. It enables centralized monitoring and analysis of all network traffic by aggregating, filtering, copying, and forwarding traffic to connected tools.

Instead of using a dedicated tool to monitor each network segment, network packet brokers can be installed to collect traffic from multiple network connections. They can replicate, aggregate, filter, and distribute network packets to assigned monitoring tools. This allows companies to not only collect and consolidate all critical data but also improve the effectiveness and performance of network monitoring and security tools by providing segmented data from across the network.

Figure 1 Network Packet Broker

What are the benefits of a Network Packet Broker (NPB)?

A Network Packet Broker (NPB) offers significant advantages for network security, monitoring, and management:

Elimination of blind spots: Traditional network architectures can have weaknesses that lead to security gaps. An NPB eliminates these blind spots and improves security by providing comprehensive visibility.
Improved deployment: Management, monitoring, and security tools can be swapped or upgraded more quickly and without interrupting the ongoing network.
Future-proofing: An abstraction layer for security and management allows for rapid changes and upgrades without affecting the underlying infrastructure.
Optimized infrastructure: NPBs help modernize data centers and enable more effective management of all network traffic, reducing operating costs and increasing efficiency.
Traffic volume reduction: By deduplicating, filtering, and slicing data, the efficiency of monitoring tools is improved, infrastructure lifespan is extended, and operating costs are reduced.

How does a Network Packet Broker work?

An NPB offers a range of important functions:

Aggregation: The NPB aggregates traffic from multiple network connections into a single data stream to reduce the load on monitoring tools.
Copying: The NPB copies all or part of the network traffic to ensure that all relevant data is available for monitoring and analysis.
Filtering: The NPB can filter traffic based on various criteria such as IP addresses, protocols, ports, and applications to forward only relevant data to monitoring tools.
Decoding: The NPB can decode traffic to gain deeper insights into network activities, such as application payloads and protocol identification.
Load-Balancing: An NPB distributes traffic evenly across multiple tools to prevent overload and maximize efficiency.
Anonymization: The NPB can anonymize sensitive data in network traffic to meet privacy requirements.
Timestamping and packet slicing: These functions allow for more precise traffic analysis and improve monitoring accuracy.

Additional functions and applications

A Datacom Systems NPB also offers load-balancing functions that ensure even distribution of traffic across multiple monitoring and security tools. This increases processing efficiency, prevents overloads, and improves overall network performance. Load-balancing also ensures scalability, redundancy, and optimized resource utilization, which enhances the reliability and efficiency of the network.

Benefits of Network Packet Brokers

Improved visibility: Provides a comprehensive view of all network traffic, including all applications, users, and devices.
Increased security: Allows for early detection of threats such as cyber-attacks and malware.
Improved performance: Allows for the identification and resolution of network bottlenecks and issues.
Optimized resource utilization: Reduces the load on monitoring tools and optimizes the use of network resources.
Easier troubleshooting: Simplifies network problem troubleshooting by providing detailed traffic information.

Target groups for using Network Packet Brokers

Network Packet Brokers (NPBs) offer numerous benefits to businesses and organizations of different sizes and industries. The following target groups should particularly consider implementing an NPB:

Companies with complex networks: Large companies with multiple locations, data centers, and networks benefit from the centralized visibility and control that NPBs offer. Companies with mission-critical applications that rely on high network availability and performance can use NPBs to quickly identify and resolve network issues. Companies that handle sensitive data can use NPBs to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and policies.
Organizations with high-security requirements: Companies in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government that handle sensitive data require robust security solutions. NPBs can help them detect and counter threats like cyber-attacks and malware early. Companies facing strict compliance requirements can use NPBs to monitor network traffic and ensure it adheres to company policies and regulatory standards.
Network operators and service providers: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) can use NPBs to monitor network performance, identify bottlenecks, and improve service delivery quality. Cloud providers can use NPBs to ensure the security and performance of their cloud infrastructures.

Regardless of size or industry, any organization looking to improve its network security, performance, and reliability can benefit from implementing a Network Packet Broker.

Additional use cases

Research and educational institutions: NPBs can be used in research networks to monitor traffic and support research projects.
Military and intelligence agencies: NPBs can be used in sensitive networks to protect national security.

When does a Network Packet Broker make sense?

It is challenging to define an exact network size or infrastructure where a Network Packet Broker (NPB) makes sense. The decision depends on several factors:

Network complexity: Large companies with multiple locations, data centers, and complex networks benefit significantly from the centralized visibility and control NPBs provide. Companies with mission-critical applications that depend on high network availability and performance can use NPBs to quickly identify and resolve network issues. Companies handling sensitive data can use NPBs to ensure compliance with data protection regulations and policies.
Security requirements: Companies in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government that handle sensitive data need robust security solutions. NPBs can help them detect and counter threats like cyber-attacks and malware early. Companies facing strict compliance requirements can use NPBs to monitor network traffic and ensure it adheres to company policies and regulatory standards.
Network issues: Companies facing recurring network issues such as bottlenecks, delays, or outages can use NPBs to identify and resolve the root causes. Companies looking to optimize network performance can use NPBs to identify application bottlenecks and improve resource utilization.
Budget: NPBs can be an investment that quickly pays off by improving network security, performance, and reliability. It is important to weigh the cost of an NPB against the potential benefits for your company.

Rule of thumb

As a general rule of thumb, an NPB should be considered for companies with more than 250 employees or a network with more than 1 Gbit/s bandwidth. However, smaller companies and networks can also benefit from an NPB if they meet the above factors.

Network Packet Broker vs. Network TAP

Network TAPs (Test Access Points) and Network Packet Brokers (NPBs) serve different but complementary functions:

Network TAPs: These devices copy network traffic and forward it to monitoring devices. They provide basic capture and copy functions.
Network Packet Broker: NPBs offer additional intelligent functions such as packet deduplication, aggregation, advanced filtering, packet slicing, timestamping, and load-balancing. They efficiently process traffic and forward only relevant information to monitoring tools.

Decision-making assistance for implementing a Network Packet Broker

The decision to implement an NPB should be based on an individual assessment of each organization's specific requirements and needs. Here are some questions that can help in the decision-making process:

What type of network do I have?
What security requirements do I have?
What compliance requirements do I need to meet?
What type of network problems do I have?
What budget do I have?

Once these questions are answered, it will be easier to determine whether an NPB is the right solution.

Conclusion

A Network Packet Broker (NPB) is an essential tool for monitoring and managing modern networks. With its advanced functions and the ability to efficiently process traffic, an NPB helps companies increase network security, improve monitoring tool performance, and reduce overall operating costs. NPBs and Network TAPs should be used together to ensure comprehensive and flexible network monitoring. A Datacom Systems NPB also offers load-balancing functions that optimize traffic distribution and enhance the efficiency and reliability of the network infrastructure.

We are happy to assist you in selecting the right Packet Broker for your company. Please feel free to contact us by phone at +49 6403 6099351 or by email at info@ipnetshop.com.

Click here for an overview of Datacom Network Packet Brokers.