Highly Configurable Traffic Capture Device for Gigabit Networks

BURLINGAME, Calif.--March 19, 2009--VSS Monitoring, Inc. today announced shipment of the V 16.8 Distributed Filter Tap, providing users of Gigabit-speed Ethernet networks -- by far the largest segment of the Ethernet market -- a way to optimize network monitoring and analysis.

The V 16.8, part of VSS Monitoring's Distributed Traffic Capture? family, features the industry's most sophisticated set of network traffic filters, giving IT professionals the ability to selectively and precisely aggregate traffic, enabling delivery of a complete copy of only the traffic needed for each analytical device in any location. The V 16.8 is highly configurable, making it suitable for deployment in almost any location of a large network.

"As many as 60% of monitoring tools do not have physical access to the networks in which they are deployed," said Terence M. Breslin, VSS Monitoring CEO. "This impacts network management ROI and prevents IT from ensuring that problems will not impact end users. Distributed Traffic Capture is the way for enterprises to reduce the number of analytical devices while seeing all of their networks. The V 16.8's combination of port flexibility, selective aggregation, deep packet filtering and powerful management functionality make it an exceptionally versatile network monitoring tool."

The V 16.8 features 12 ports, each of which can be set to capture either network switch SPAN ports or tap directly into a network, four ports which can be used as to capture network traffic or output it to monitoring devices, and eight dedicated monitor ports.

A powerful set of filter capabilities ensures zero packet loss during traffic aggregation. Up to 4,096 filter expressions are available. A graphical user interface provides remote and local users a quick way to build even complex filters, allowing them to choose from context-sensitive fields and pick lists, permitting the entry of conditional expressions directly, while being able to readily visualize and change filters. Users may also create filters via a command-line interface, such as telnet and serial communication.

Two VSS Monitoring proprietary downtime prevention features provide an unparalleled level of safety for Gigabit implementations. vAssure? reduces normal Gigabit fail-over time to as little as 100 ms, helping ensure that packet-sensitive applications such as VoIP and IPTV continue to function uninterrupted, and making VSS taps the only taps that do not cause link loss. Should an attached network device fail, LinkSafe? employs an intelligent controller to alert routers and switches to execute redundant links.

The new taps are available worldwide from VSS Monitoring's channel partners. In addition, VSS Monitoring systems are offered by many network analyzer vendors as part of a network management solution. Users should contact VSS Monitoring for further information, including demonstrations, pricing and local resellers.

VSS Monitoring, Inc. (www.vssmonitoring.com) is the world leader in network traffic capture, allowing IT professionals to see into the farthest reaches of even the largest networks, preventing problems from reaching end users, and dramatically reducing the time to achieve a return on investment for network monitoring and security tools. Distributed Traffic Capture Systems herald a new architecture of network monitoring, one which fundamentally improves its capability and price-performance. The company is headquartered in Burlingame, Calif.