Version 5.2
Sourcefire 3D System Installation Guide
34
Understanding Deployment
Connecting Devices to Your Network
Chapter 2
Cabling Inline Deployments on Copper Interfaces
If you deploy your device inline on your network and you want to use your
device’s bypass capabilities to maintain network connectivity if the device fails,
you must pay special attention to how you cable the connections.
If you deploy a device with fiber bypass capable interfaces, there are no special
cabling issues beyond ensuring that the connections are securely fastened and
the cables are not kinked. However, if you are deploying devices with copper
rather than fiber network interfaces, then you must be aware of the device model
that you are using, because different device models use different network cards.
Note that some 8000 Series NetMods do not allow bypass configuration.
The network interface cards (NICs) in the device support a feature called
Auto-Medium Dependent Interface Crossover (Auto-MDI-X), which allows
network interfaces to configure automatically whether you use a straight-through
or crossover Ethernet cable to connect to another network device. The
table lists the various devices and whether they
bypass as straight-through or crossover connections.
For a managed device that bypasses with a straight-through connection, wire the
device as would normally be done with the device live on the network. In most
cases you should use one straight-through cable and one crossover cable to
connect the device to the two endpoints.
Straight-Through Bypass Connection Cabling
Devices and Bypass Characteristics
D
EVICE
FAILS
OPEN
AS
...
3D500/1000/2000
straight-through
7000 Series
crossover
8000 Series
crossover
