Ixia is proud to announce the new Ixia Net Optics iBypass 3 Switch. This switch sets a new standard for flexibility, efficiency, and usability in copper bypass switching by supporting up to eight bypass switches in 1U – 4 times the density of our last gigbabit copper bypass switch. In addition to space efficiency, the iBypass 3 achieves class-leading power savings of 48% over the last generation of bypass switch!

Ixia bypass switches provide a permanent and trouble-free access port for in-line network security and monitoring devices (see diagram below). The bypass switch automatically switches network traffic through added in-line devices or bypasses devices based on administrator requirements such as the loss of a heartbeat response, or by manually switching over during a planned maintenance cycle. When the bypass switch loses power, in-line traffic continues to flow through the network link, but is no longer routed through the device. This allows the network devices to be removed and replaced without network downtime. Once power is restored to the Bypass Switch, network traffic is seamlessly diverted to the in-line device, allowing it to resume its critical functions.

As many of you are aware, the market for bypass switches is growing as the need for high availability in-line security grows in networks across the globe. With the acquisition of Net Optics in 2013, Ixia is the market-leading provider of bypass switches for enterprise and service provider networks, and furthers this leadership with the new Ixia Net Optics iBypass 3 Switch!

Sample deployment diagram showing a bypass switch routing traffic based on IPS status.

Additional Resources:

Ixia iBypass 3 Product Page

Ixia iBypass 3 Data Sheet

Thanks to Ixia for the article.