Bypass Switches
Protect your network from interruption. External Bypass Switches provide an inline lifeline for growing networks — Connect inline security tools to a network without the risk of network downtime
Addressing In-Line Tool Risk
In-line security tools help defend against threats but can become single points of failure, risking network downtime. A Bypass Switch mitigates this risk by ensuring continuous network traffic flow, even if an inline tool fails due to hardware, power, or software issues. Deployed before an IPS or NGFW, it maintains uptime by rerouting traffic, acting as a fail-safe access point for inline network monitoring.
Advantages of External Bypass Switches
- Keeps network traffic flowing when the inline appliance fails.
- Allows the in-line appliance to be removed or serviced without impacting network traffic. For example, an IPS can be take offline for upgrades, maintenance or troubleshooting.
- In-line appliance can be moved from one network segment to another without impacting network traffic.
How a Bypass Switch Works
A Bypass Switch ensures continuous network traffic flow by automatically rerouting data if an inline security tool, like an IPS or NGFW, fails due to hardware, power, or software issues. It prevents downtime by maintaining a fail-safe connection for uninterrupted monitoring and security.
Heartbeat
A ByPass Switch or TAP monitors the health of the active, in-line appliance by sending heartbeats to the in-line security appliances.
If the heartbeat packets are not returned to the TAP (indicating that the in-line security appliance has gone off-line), the TAP will automatically bypass the in-band security appliance and keep the link traffic flowing. The TAP also removes the heartbeat packets before sending the network traffic back onto the critical link.
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