How can you maximize the efficacy of inline threat prevention tools without compromising network performance or overcomplicating your security stack? The answer is simple: use a network bypass switch.

What is a Network Bypass Switch?

One way to maintain network performance and security is to deploy an external bypass switch, in the form of a Gigamon Inline Bypass Threat Prevention solution. An external network bypass switch (sometimes also called a Bypass TAP switch) is a device that acts as a fail-safe access network port for inline security tools, such as web application firewall (WAF), intrusion prevention system (IPS), and advanced threat protection (APT) solutions.

The bypass switch sends regular pulses to the in-line security appliance, which returns the pulses to the bypass switch, indicating that the security appliance is functioning. However, if the pulse is not returned to the bypass switch (indicating that the in-line security appliance is not functioning), the bypass switch automatically bypasses the appliance, ensuring that packets continue flowing optimally even during times of high traffic.

The Gigamon Deep Observability Pipeline offers an advanced inline bypass switch solution. This bypass switch enables enterprises to:

• Keep up with growing network traffic volumes by improving the performance of inline security tools.
• Streamline operations so you can complete security functions in hours versus weeks.
• Eliminate single points of tool failure by creating multiple resiliency layers.
• Solve the problem of asymmetric routing by enabling resilient (dual path) network architectures.