Pre-Configuration Considerations
17
I
NTEGRATING
THE
F
LOW
S
ENSOR
INTO
Y
OUR
N
ETWORK
The StealthWatch FlowSensor is versatile enough to integrate with a wide variety of
network topologies, technologies, and components. While not all network configura-
tions can be discussed here, the examples may help you determine the best setup for
your monitoring needs.
Before you install a FlowSensor, you must make several decisions about your network
and how you want to monitor it. Be sure to analyze both your network's topology and
your specific monitoring needs. It is recommended that you connect a FlowSensor so
that it receives network transmissions to and from the monitored network, and, if
desired, receives interior network transmissions as well.
The following sections explain how to integrate a StealthWatch FlowSensor appliance
into your network using the following Ethernet network devices:
TAPs
When a Test Access Port (TAP) is placed
in line
with a network connection, it repeats
the connection on a separate port or ports. For example, an Ethernet TAP placed in line
with an Ethernet cable will repeat each direction of transmission on separate ports.
Therefore, use of a TAP is the most reliable way to use the FlowSensor. The type of
TAP you use depends on your network.
