SPAN

SPAN (Switched Port Analyzer), also referred to as port mirroring, is a feature available on network switches that allows the duplication of network traffic from one or more ports to a designated monitoring port.

This non-intrusive process enables comprehensive inspection and analysis of network traffic without disrupting or affecting the normal flow of data. By capturing both incoming and outgoing packets, the SPAN method facilitates the examination of network behaviour, identification of anomalies, troubleshooting, performance optimization, and security analysis. It empowers network administrators and analysts to gain valuable insights into network operations, detect potential issues, and implement effective measures to ensure optimal network performance, reliability, and security.

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To learn more about different method of network traffic monitoring see our definition of TAPs.