Modern data centers generate massive volumes of east-west traffic due to virtualization, distributed applications, and AI/ML workloads. In this context, traditional SPAN-based monitoring faces clear limitations: it relies on switch CPU and forwarding behavior, can drop mirrored packets during congestion, may alter packet timing, and provides only a switch-processed copy of traffic rather than a true physical-layer copy. These limitations reduce the accuracy of troubleshooting, forensic analysis, and performance monitoring, ultimately lowering operational confidence.
To achieve accurate, lossless, and timing-preserved traffic visibility, data centers increasingly deploy dedicated passive traffic access instead of relying solely on switch-based replication.
Microtel TAPs enable accurate traffic monitoring
Microtel Innovation TAPs provide fully passive, wire-speed traffic replication by physically copying network signals. Unlike SPAN, TAPs introduce zero latency, preserve original packet timing and order, and operate independently of switch resources.
Installed in major network operators data centers, Microtel TAPs are proven in large-scale, mission-critical environments where accuracy, stability, and continuity are mandatory.
Microtel TAPs enable accurate and uninterrupted traffic monitoring without affecting production networks.
Fiber TAPs for high-speed data center fabrics
The T-20 Optical TAP supports passive monitoring up to 400 Gb/s over single-mode and multimode fiber using LC connectors. It replicates all traffic, including malformed frames and link error conditions, while preserving packet timing and order.
Configurable optical split ratios allow deployment without impacting link power budgets, making it ideal for aggregation layers, core links, and mixed-speed environments.
The T-30 Optical TAP supports up to 400 Gb/s optical links using MTP/MPO connectors and supports both single-mode and multimode fibers, making it suitable for dense spine-leaf architectures and high-capacity backbone fabrics. Its compact form factor enables scalable deployment in high-density racks, while fully passive operation ensures zero impact on live traffic.
Because these optical TAPs operate at the physical layer and require no active processing, production traffic continues even during power loss or monitoring tool failure, guaranteeing continuous and reliable access to traffic data.
Copper TAP support for hybrid and management networks
The Microtel T-200C Copper TAP delivers modular, full-duplex visibility for 10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet links, ideal for management networks, legacy systems, and auxiliary links. Each TAP module operates independently and integrates a hot-swap backup battery to maintain traffic replication in case of power loss. Both desktop and 1RU rack versions support multiple modules, ensuring flexible deployment, maximum reliability, and uninterrupted monitoring even during maintenance or failures.
Technical outcomes
Deploying Microtel TAPs at strategic data center links enables wire-level packet replication with preserved timing, no dependency on switch configuration, and no TAP-induced packet loss. Network teams obtain a faithful representation of live traffic, supporting precise root-cause analysis, reliable performance characterization and accurate security investigations.
Replacing or complementing SPAN with Microtel TAPs enhances monitoring fidelity, strengthens operational confidence, and keeps production networks fully isolated from monitoring risks.
