Network Instruments Launches Aggregator nTAP to Manage Higher Utilization Spikes on Full-Duplex Links

PRESS CONTACTS:
Connect Public Relations Spencer Parkinson spencerp@connectpr.com (801) 373-7888 x119	Network Instruments, LLC Stephen Brown sbrown@networkinstruments.com (952) 358-3800

Network Instruments® Launches Aggregator nTAP™ to Manage Higher Utilization Spikes on Full-Duplex Links

New nTAPs’ industry-leading 512 MB buffer compatible with all
leading security and management tools

December 18, 2006 – Minneapolis, MN – Network Instruments, a leading provider of innovative analysis solutions for in-depth network intelligence and continuous availability, today announced the release of its new line of Aggregator nTAPs. The new Aggregator nTAPs provide the largest buffer available on the market, reducing the likelihood of dropped packets on a gigabit link. Aggregator nTAPs provide visibility to both sides of a full-duplex data stream and aggregates them into a single flow giving administrators greater flexibility when connecting to analysis and security devices.

“In creating the new Aggregator nTAP, we didn’t copy our competitors, we designed it to provide significant technical advantages over existing offerings,” said Douglas Smith, president and co-founder of Network Instruments. “First, our TAP offers the largest buffer—up to 512 MB—to enable it to handle higher utilization spikes on a full-duplex link. Second, our Aggregator TAP has a unique pooled buffer design. Competitive Aggregator TAPs, if they include a buffer, have separate buffers for send and receive—once the send or receive buffer is filled, packets will be dropped for traffic in that direction. Our Aggregator TAP pools the buffer so that it can easily handle both sides of the network conversation, decreasing the chance of dropping packets. With the Aggregator nTAP we have greatly decreased the risk of dropping critical network data.”

In addition to managing larger network traffic spikes than existing aggregation TAPs, the Aggregator nTAP is aggressively priced at $1,495 for the 256 megabyte buffer and $1,995 for the 512 megabyte buffer. Each Aggregator nTAP supports 10 Mb, 100 Mb, and 1000 Mb network traffic and connections, and has two separate simplex ports to stream data to analysis and security devices with single-receive capture interfaces.

“Not only have we introduced a technologically-leading TAP into the market, but our prices are up to 40 percent less than the competition,” said Pete Hage, nTAP sales director. “We don’t have to depend on a third party to develop and manufacture our nTAPs, so we never have to compromise on quality or price.”

About Network Instruments
Network Instruments provides in-depth network intelligence and continuous network availability through innovative analysis solutions. Enterprise network professionals depend on Network Instruments’ Observer product line for unparalleled network visibility to efficiently solve network problems and manage deployments. By combining a powerful management console with high-performance analysis appliances, Observer simplifies problem resolution and optimizes network and application performance. The company continues to lead the industry in ROI with its advanced Distributed Network Analysis (NI-DNA™) architecture, which successfully integrates comprehensive analysis functionality across heterogeneous networks through a single monitoring interface. Network Instruments is headquartered in Minneapolis with sales offices worldwide and distributors in over 50 countries. For more information about the company, products, technology, NI-DNA, becoming a partner, and NI University please visit www.networkinstruments.com.