In mission-critical environments, such as manufacturing plants, data centers, and government infrastructure, complete network visibility is non-negotiable. Every packet matters. Ethernet TAPs are the gold standard for obtaining an unfiltered, full-duplex copy of network traffic without introducing latency or risk.
An Ethernet TAP is a hardware device that sits passively between two network endpoints. It copies all traffic that passes through – including packets with errors or malformed frames – and sends those copies to monitoring or security tools.
Unlike SPAN or mirror ports, TAPs capture 100% of network traffic without impacting performance, introducing latency, or risking dropped packets. Most importantly, they are fail-safe: even if the TAP loses power, the network link stays up and traffic continues to flow normally.
This makes ethernet TAPs indispensable for:
Security monitoring (IDS/IPS, NDR)
Performance analytics
Forensic investigation
Regulatory compliance
Critical infrastructure management
| Vendor | Notable products | Strengths |
| Network Critical | SmartNA-XL, SmartNA-PortPlus | Modular, fail-safe, unhackable |
| Garland Technology | EdgeSafe™, AggregatorTAP | Reliable, easy integration |
| Keysight | Vision Edge Series | Multi-speed, packet-level filtering |
| Datacom Systems | CTP, RDP Series | Compliance-grade redundancy |
| Dualcomm Technology | ETAP Series | Cost-effective SMB visibility |
| Profitap | ProfiShark, IOTA | Portable TAP + analysis |
| Gigamon | G-TAP Series | Deep integration with monitoring ecosystems |
| NetScout | nGenius Packet Flow | Enterprise-scale visibility fabric |
| Niagara Networks | Open Visibility Platform | Modular visibility and bypass options |
| Cubro Networks | Omnia Series | High-performance packet brokers and TAPs |
When it comes to reliability, scalability, and complete visibility, Network Critical remains the gold standard. Their SmartNA-XL and SmartNA-PortPlus platforms go beyond simple TAPs – combining aggregation, filtering, and packet brokering into a modular visibility architecture built for the world’s most demanding environments.
Key features:
Passive fail-safe copper and fibre options (1G – 400G)
Aggregation, replication, and intelligent filtering
Modular design with hot-swappable modules
Zero packet loss and near-zero latency
Global enterprise-grade support
Real-world results prove that Network Critical’s technology performs where visibility matters most. One U.S. government agency used two SmartNA-XL chassis to connect seven different security and monitoring tools to critical network links –maintaining 100 % uptime and meeting strict FISMA compliance. Even during power failures, traffic continued to flow uninterrupted.
Garland Technology is another powerhouse in network visibility. Their AggregatorTAP and EdgeSafe™ lines support everything from 1G to 100G links and are known for rock-solid performance and ease of integration with security tools.
Key features:
Keysight’s Vision Edge TAPs are purpose-built for high-performance environments and integrate seamlessly with their broader network visibility platform. Supporting speeds up to 400 GbE, they deliver exceptional precision and stability.
Key features:
Multi-speed (1G – 400G) support
Hardware-based timestamping
Packet-level filtering and load balancing
Integration with Keysight’s Vision ONE platform
A long-standing player in the monitoring space, Datacom Systems provides dependable and flexible enterprise-grade packet brokers.
Key features:
Passive aggregation and regeneration modes
Copper and fiber models
Redundant power and enterprise support options
Ideal for compliance-driven visibility
Dualcomm’s ETAP series is the smart choice for smaller or lab-based environments. Offering straightforward, plug-and-play TAPs at accessible price points, they’re perfect for engineers needing reliable packet visibility without enterprise-level cost.
Key features:
Supports 10/100/1000 Mb/s
Compact and cost-effective
Passive full-duplex capture
Excellent for troubleshooting or small-site monitoring
Profitap specializes in portable, all-in-one TAP solutions that combine visibility and analysis in a compact form factor. Their ProfiShark and IOTA series provide engineers with USB/Thunderbolt connectivity for fast deployment in the field, while still supporting high-speed enterprise links.
Key features:
Portable USB-C/Thunderbolt TAPs for field use
Built-in packet capture and analysis software
Supports high-speed traffic (up to 10G)
Easy deployment for troubleshooting or forensic investigations
Gigamon G-TAPs are designed for large-scale enterprise networks and integrate seamlessly with monitoring, security, and analytics tools. They provide reliable traffic aggregation and distribution while minimizing overhead for monitoring platforms.
Key features:
Passive TAPs for copper and fibre links
Aggregation and load-balancing features
Supports high-speed enterprise networks
Deep integration with Gigamon visibility fabrics
NetScout’s nGenius Packet Flow TAPs provide enterprise-grade traffic visibility for large data centers and service provider networks. They support advanced traffic filtering, replication, and packet forwarding for analytics and security applications.
Key features:
High-availability design for mission-critical networks
Advanced traffic aggregation and filtering
Supports copper and fibre interfaces
Scalable for multi-gigabit enterprise environments
Niagara Networks offers modular TAPs and packet brokers for complex, high-performance networks. Their Open Visibility Platform allows flexible deployment of bypass, aggregation, and replication tools for optimized tool utilization.
Key features:
Modular TAPs with bypass and aggregation options
Supports high-speed links up to 100G+
Centralized visibility management
Enables advanced traffic optimization for security and monitoring tools
Cubro Networks’ Omnia Series provides high-performance TAPs and packet brokers designed for demanding enterprise and telecom environments. With advanced aggregation and replication features, Omnia TAPs help organizations monitor multiple links efficiently.
Key features:
High-density TAPs and packet brokers
Aggregation, filtering, and replication support
Compatible with copper and fibre networks
Enterprise-grade reliability for mission-critical applications
As networks grow faster and more complex, full visibility is essential. Ethernet TAPs enable reliable monitoring and rapid troubleshooting, and Network Critical stands out with proven, fail-safe solutions. Choosing the right TAP ensures complete visibility and confidence across your network.