POE-Powered Network Tap Array for Aggregated Data Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network taps require external power sources, leading to potential interruptions and failures, which can severely impair data network operations, and aggregation devices often have single port configurations, necessitating multiple devices and extensive cabling for data aggregation.
Innovation Solution
A network tap device array powered by Power Over Ethernet (POE) supplies, eliminating the need for traditional external power sources and enabling multiple network taps to be powered and aggregated within a single chassis, reducing failure points and simplifying installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional external power supplies are used to power network taps, then the network tap can operate continuously, but power interruptions and failures can severely impair network operations
Solution Approach 1:
The network tap device powers itself by drawing electrical power from the data network through which it passes data. The power extraction circuitry retrieves power from the data pairs carrying network traffic, eliminating the need for separate external power supplies and preventing power-related failures that could disrupt network operations.
2Ease of operation
If network taps require external power sources, then they can function independently, but power cord disconnections and external power supply failures become common occurrence
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the power supply function from the traditional external power source and integrates it directly into the data network infrastructure. The power extraction circuitry pulls electrical power directly from the data pairs, removing the power cord and external power supply from the system, thereby eliminating disconnection risks.
3Device complexity
If aggregation devices use single port configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but a significant amount of cabling and multiple aggregators are needed to aggregate multiple data streams
Solution Approach 1:
The network tap device is designed with multiple network ports that can simultaneously handle multiple data streams. Each port can independently tap and pass data while the device aggregates multiple streams through its internal architecture, eliminating the need for multiple single-port aggregators and reducing cabling requirements.
4Ease of manufacture
If network taps are located in places where personnel may access them, then installation flexibility is improved, but inadvertent disconnection of power supplies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network tap draws power directly from the data network cable that is already connected for data transmission. This eliminates the need for separate power cords that extend to wall outlets, removing the hazard of tripping over cords and inadvertent unplugging, while maintaining installation flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The POE-powered network tap array enhances network reliability by eliminating power-related interruptions and allows for flexible, scalable data aggregation with reduced cabling complexity, improving overall network performance and fault tolerance.
Implementation Method 1
network tap device array capable of being powered by a power-over Ethernet ('POE') supply
Data Source
AI summary
A network tap device array capable of being powered by a power-over Ethernet (“POE”) supply is disclosed. The array enables data from multiple nodes in a communications network to be tapped and forwarded to a plurality of monitoring devices. In one embodiment the network tap device array includes a chassis that is configured to receive a plurality of network tap devices that are each powered by a POE supply. Each network tap device includes network ports for receiving and transmitting network data via communication cables and tap ports for forwarding the tapped network data to the monitoring device. In another embodiment, a sub-chassis includes a plurality of network tap devices and an aggregator that aggregates tapped data from each of the tap devices. The aggregator then forwards the aggregated data to the monitoring device. The sub-chassis can be included in a chassis that is configured to receive multiple populated chassis.