Patent ID: 7792046
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network data monitoring apparatus configured to provide monitor data streams representative of network data streams, said network data monitoring apparatus comprising: a) a plurality of network port connector pairs, wherein each said network port connector pair is coupleable to provide an interposed connection link in a data network segment capable of bidirectional network data packet transfer; b) a plurality of monitor output ports, wherein each said monitor output port is coupleable to monitor network segments for tap data packet transfer; c) a network switch subsystem operative to transfer network data packets between said plurality of network port connector pairs and, as tap data packets, to said plurality of monitor output ports, said network switch subsystem having a disabled layer-2 routing function and an enabled internal port-to-multiport network data packet distribution function wherein broadcast distribution of network data packets internal to said network switch subsystem is autonomously constrained to respective said network port connector pairs and, for each said network connector pair, a selected set of said monitor output ports; and d) a controller coupled to said network switch subsystem, wherein said controller is operative to configure predetermined constraint relations defining said network port connector pairs and said selected sets of said monitor output ports, wherein said predetermined constraint relations includes virtual network identifiers discretely assigned with respect to each of said network port connector pairs and wherein said network switch subsystem is autonomously operative to constrain broadcast distribution of network data packets based on assigned virtual network identifiers, said predetermined constraint relations being determinative of the autonomous operation of said network switch subsystem.