New Datacom Systems DURAstream Bypass Switch Eliminates the Scourge of False Positives and the Burden of Latency

EAST SYRACUSE, N.Y., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Datacom Systems, Inc., a leading network access device manufacturer, today announced the availability of its new DURAstream™ 1G Bypass Switch, providing superior protection for networks and the monitoring devices deployed on them. A DURAstream bypass switch, installed between the network and up to four network devices, prevents outages when a device malfunctions by diverting critical network traffic away from the affected device until it is once again operating normally.

DURAstream modular bypass switches can be used with in-line monitoring tools such as Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) devices, VPN gateways, and/or firewalls. Featuring plug-and-play connectivity, the switch offers up to four independent interface modules with a variety of media options including copper, fiber, and media conversion.

"Many network and security professionals face a Catch 22 when deploying in-line devices such as an IPS," said Chris Koeneman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Datacom Systems. "On the one hand, an IPS device can only provide total protection by operating in-line, but on the other hand, placing network equipment in-line always brings the risk of creating a single point of failure as well as introducing latency. False positives from IPS devices and latency can be a nightmare for security administrators and effectively cause a self-inflicted denial of service attack. A DURAstream bypass switch helps eliminate conditions like these from impacting the network."

DURAstream uses real-time data forwarding hardware to ensure line-rate throughput of critical voice and data flows. Its design not only protects against failures caused by device malfunction, but also enables maintenance and upgrades involving monitoring devices without the fear of network downtime. Should a power loss to the switch occur, it automatically closes the connection to the switch to create a physical connection on the main link until power is resumed.

Heartbeat Mode

Adding value to the DURAstream bypass switch is its innovative heartbeat feature, which monitors the continual health of in-line appliances by sending and receiving a heartbeat packet into the appropriate monitoring port link. The configurable packet, when received and analyzed, reports the overall availability and performance of the device.

Advanced Management, Security and Logging Features

Datacom Systems' DURAstream modular bypass switch can be managed locally or remotely through CLI or GUI with web-based HTTPS for convenient configuration and management. The switch includes important security, management, and logging features such as secure shell (SSH), SNMP traps, e-mail notifications, SYSlogging, and interfacing with authentication servers such as TACACS+. Dual redundant power supplies are included for increased monitoring uptime. In addition, an external TAP port is available to plug in an independent monitoring tool such as a protocol analyzer to receive aggregated data streams from any of the four tapped segments.

Datacom Systems DURAstream 1G Modular Bypass Switches are available directly from the company, as well as through a network of value added resellers. To learn more, visit the company web site or call (315) 463-1585.

About Datacom Systems:

Datacom Systems is a leading manufacturer of Test Access Points (TAPs), Data Aggregation Tools and other network access devices. Since the company's founding in 1992, Datacom Systems has built a reputation for quality engineering and unmatched customer service. Datacom Systems is credited with inventing physical layer matrix switching technology and is considered the expert in network access solutions. Datacom Systems equipment covers millions of network segments worldwide, with over 70% of Fortune 500 companies relying on Datacom equipment to gain visibility into their networks – and to save millions of dollars in IT expenses each year. The privately-held company is headquartered East Syracuse, New York. Visit www.datacomsystems.com.

SOURCE Datacom Systems, Inc.