Bypass Switches: Ensuring Network Uptime and Security in High-Stakes Environments

Modern Bypass Switches also offer granular control and flexible configurations, allowing administrators to choose whether the device should fail open to prioritize uptime or fail closed to prioritize security. With features like remote management, logging, alerting, and the ability to validate inline devices during maintenance, they provide both visibility and control. This makes them particularly valuable in high-volume, low-latency, or encrypted traffic environments, allowing organizations to maintain security and operational continuity without compromise.

Vendors like Keysight, Cubro, Profitap, and Garland offer Bypass Switches and visibility solutions that prevent inline security tools from becoming single points of failure. By monitoring device health with heartbeat packets, link-state checks, and latency thresholds, these switches can automatically reroute traffic to maintain uninterrupted network operations in the event of an appliance failure or congestion.

What is a Bypass Switch

A Bypass Switch is a fail-safe device that maintains continuous traffic flow when an inline security appliance such as an IPS or firewall becomes unavailable. Under normal conditions, the switch directs all packets through the security device for inspection, filtering, and threat prevention. If the appliance fails, loses power, or must be taken offline for maintenance, the Bypass Switch instantly reroutes traffic around it to prevent downtime and keep the network operational.

To achieve this, the switch continuously monitors the health of the inline device using heartbeat packets, power detection, and link-state checks. As long as the heartbeats return, the appliance stays in the path. If the heartbeats are interrupted or performance thresholds are exceeded, the switch enters bypass mode and allows traffic to pass directly between network ports. This approach preserves uptime and enables organizations to service or replace security equipment without disrupting live traffic.

How External Bypass Switch Failover Works Today

Modern Bypass Switches are designed to actively safeguard both performance and security rather than simply acting as a passive relay. They constantly measure link conditions and appliance responsiveness in real time, using mechanisms such as power detection, link-state analysis, heartbeat packets, and latency thresholds. When these metrics indicate an emerging problem, the switch automatically removes the inline device from the data path before end users experience disruption.

Advanced Bypass Switches offer granular policies and flexible configurations, allowing administrators to choose fail-open for uptime or fail-closed for security based on application needs. With built-in remote management, logging, and alerting, teams can see when and why failovers occur and even validate inline devices during maintenance. These capabilities make them especially valuable in environments with heavy encrypted traffic, low-latency transactions, or critical infrastructure, ensuring uninterrupted flow while preserving the required level of protection and visibility.

The Added Value of a Bypass Switch

Protects uptime: Automatically reroutes traffic if an inline security or monitoring tool fails, loses power, or requires maintenance.

Eliminates single points of failure: Prevents downtime and costly outages in high-availability or mission-critical environments.

Enables seamless maintenance: Lets you patch, upgrade, or replace IPS, IDS, firewalls, and other inline tools without interrupting live traffic.

Provides proactive monitoring: Uses heartbeat packets, link-state checks, and latency thresholds to detect performance issues early.

Maximizes security investments: Ensures your inline devices deliver their full value while minimizing operational and business risk.

Bypass Switches deliver the greatest value in environments where inline security tools such as IPS, IDS, firewalls, or DLP appliances are potential single points of failure. In high-availability networks, even brief outages caused by maintenance, software updates, or device crashes can disrupt business-critical applications. A Bypass Switch eliminates that risk by instantly routing traffic around the inline device if it becomes unresponsive or needs to be taken offline. This allows security teams to perform updates or swap hardware without interrupting live traffic.

They also shine in high-throughput or latency-sensitive applications, such as data centers, financial trading platforms, healthcare systems, and critical infrastructure, where uptime and reliability are paramount. By continuously monitoring link health with heartbeat packets and latency thresholds, bypass switches detect performance issues before they impact users. In these situations, they act as a safeguard that protects service continuity and ensures organizations get full value from their inline security investments without introducing new risks.

Contact our sales team today for a free consultation and quote on bypass switches tailored to your network needs.

Network Packet Brokers at the Inflection Point

The global network packet broker market hit USD $910 Million in 2024 and, according to Cognitive Market Research, is expected to grow at more than 7% annually through 2032. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for network visibility solutions that enhance security and performance across complex network infrastructures.

To support that growing demand and growth, key players like Cubro, Keysight Technologies, and Garland Technology introduced innovative solutions to enhance network visibility, security, and performance throughout 2024.

Cubro’s Level Up on Security

In 2024, Cubro Network Visibility received the ISO 27001:2022 certification, an acknowledgment of Cubro’s robust information security management systems and dedication to protecting customers from threats and ensuring that Cubro continues to lead in innovation and best practices in the industry. This certification followed the introduction of a next-generation network packet broker utilizing the latest P4 programmable processors in late 2023.

Garland Technology’s TradeUp Program

Garland Technology has introduced the TAP-IT & TradeUp Exchange program, allowing organizations to trade in outdated network TAPs and packet brokers for advanced solutions. This initiative ensures complete packet visibility by delivering a full platform of network TAPs, inline bypass, and packet broker products. Garland’s purpose-built NPBs include features such as aggregation, filtering, load balancing, deduplication, time stamping, and packet slicing, providing flexible and scalable solutions for future on-demand growth with excellent ROI.

Keysight Technologies’ Enhancements

In 2024, Keysight Technologies introduced the Vision Edge 400P (E400P), a next-generation network packet broker (NPB). Scalable from 10G to 400G The Vision 400 Series Network Packet Brokers received the prestigious 2024 Global New Product Innovation Award from Frost & Sullivan and achieves the highest port density for 400G in a 1RU form factor.

The developments in 2024 by Cubro, Keysight Technologies, and Garland Technology highlight the dynamic nature of the network packet broker market. As organizations continue to prioritize network visibility and security, these innovations play a crucial role in meeting the evolving challenges of modern network environments.

2025 Packet Broker Outlook

The global Network Packet Broker industry is on a trajectory of significant growth and innovation in 2025 driven by the increasing complexity of network infrastructures and the escalating demand for enhanced network visibility and security.

In 2025, leading Packet Broker OEMs are expected to focus on transformational features and developments in the following areas:

  • Integration Between On-Premise And Cloud Environments – The proliferation of cloud-based applications necessitates advanced NPB solutions to manage and monitor data traffic effectively, ensuring seamless integration between on-premise and cloud
  • Efficient Data Management And Network Optimization – The surge in internet multimedia content and web applications is contributing to higher data volumes, prompting organizations to invest in efficient data management and network optimization solutions
  • Integration of AI and Machine Learning – Deploying AI/ML to enhance real-time data analysis, automate network management tasks, and improve threat detection capabilities

Organizations are projected to continue investing heavily in advanced NPB solutions. These investments are expected to focus on enhancing network performance, security, and visibility and aligning with the dynamic landscape of digital transformation.