Network Analysis Using Wireshark 2 Cookbook - Second Edition

Test access points and hubs

Two additional devices that you can use are TAPs and Hubs:

• Test Access Point (TAPs): Instead of connecting a switch to the link you wish to monitor, you can connect a device called a TAP, a simple three-port device that, in this case, will play the same role as the switch. The advantage of a TAP over a switch is the simplicity and price. TAPs also forward errors that can be monitored on Wireshark, unlike a LAN switch that drops them. Switches, on the other hand, are much more expensive, take a few minutes to configure, but provide you with additional monitoring capabilities, for example, SNMP. When you troubleshoot a network, it is better to have an available managed LAN switch, even a simple one, for this purpose. ...