COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK TAP WITH HEARTBEAT MONITOR

摘要

A communications network tap, comprises a first terminal and a second terminal adapted to couple the tap in-line in the network and communicate data packets with network devices. A heartbeat generator generates a heartbeat signal, and a heartbeat insert circuit coupled to the first terminal and the heartbeat generator inserts the heartbeat signal into data packets. A third terminal is coupled to the heartbeat insert circuit and adapted to couple the tap to a network monitor and communicate data packets with network monitor. A heartbeat remove circuit is coupled to the third terminal receives data packets from a network monitor and removes the heartbeat signal from the data packets. A heartbeat detector coupled to the heartbeat remove circuit detects whether the data packets include the heartbeat signal, and if not, to generate an alarm signal. A switch is coupled to the second terminal transmits data packets onto the network.