Passive ZPL Network Tap Using Optical Circulator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network taps in high-speed data communication systems are susceptible to power loss and faults, leading to data loss and network disruption, which compromises the integrity of the data stream and impairs network operation.
Innovation Solution
A passive full-duplex bidirectional Zero Packet Loss (ZPL) network tap that eliminates data loss due to power loss or faults by using a signal separator and receive-only Physical Interface Devices (Phy) to separate and redirect data signals without active components in the communication path, ensuring continuous communication between network devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional network taps with relays and external power supplies are used to monitor network traffic, then network data can be captured for analysis, but power loss or faults cause data loss and network disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical relay-based switching system with an optical-based passive tap system. The optical circulator uses optical field effects rather than mechanical moving parts, eliminating the need for power-driven relays and switches. This substitution ensures that data flow is redirected through optical paths without mechanical intervention, preventing data loss during power failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical circulator as an intermediary device that passively redirects data signals between network devices and monitoring equipment. The circulator acts as a mediator that separates the monitoring function from the data transmission path, allowing data to be copied for analysis without interrupting the original flow, even during power loss.
2Ease of operation
If relays are energized to redirect data flow for monitoring, then network traffic can be accessed, but any loss of power causes relays to close and data to be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical relay system with an optical circulator that uses optical field effects. The circulator's internal magnetic fields and optical paths are configured to passively redirect signals without requiring external power. This eliminates the reliability issue where relays close upon power loss, as the optical system maintains its signal routing function continuously without power dependency.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical circulator is a passive device that automatically redirects data signals based on its internal optical path configuration without requiring external control or power. The system serves itself by inherently separating monitoring traffic from data traffic through optical isolation, eliminating the need for powered relays to manage signal direction.
3Extent of automation
If external power supplies are connected to network taps, then active components can operate, but disconnection of power supplies is common and causes network disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the powered active electronic system with a passive optical system. The optical circulator and associated passive components process and redirect signals using optical field effects rather than active electronics requiring power. This substitution eliminates vulnerability to power loss while maintaining automated signal processing capability through the inherent optical path configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the power dependency from the network tap system by removing all active powered components. The monitoring function is achieved through passive optical elements that do not require external power supplies, thereby eliminating the harmful factor of power loss vulnerability while preserving the essential data capture and redirection functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A passive full-duplex bidirectional ZPL tap includes first and second network ports and first and second tap ports. A passive signal separator is configured to receive a data stream from at least one of the first or second network port and pass through the data stream and a first signal portion comprising at least the first signal component and a second signal portion comprising at least the second signal component. A first receive only physical interface device (Phy) is configured to receive the first signal portion from the signal separator and provide the first portion to the first tap port and a second receive only Phy is configured to receive the second signal portion from the signal separator and provide the second signal portion to the second tap port.