The Niagara Networks 3299 is a hardware appliance that functions as a multifunctional hybrid packet broker with integrated bypass TAP capabilities for physical network infrastructures. Designed for small-to-medium enterprises and large enterprise branch offices, the unit captures and taps 1GbE network traffic, aggregates it into 10GbE uplinks, and uses a common switch fabric backplane to replicate, filter, and load-balance traffic to connected monitoring and security appliances. This consolidation of tapped network links reduces the number of required uplinks.
Built on a high-density, modular architecture, the 3299 supports up to six full bypass segments across three dual-segment modules that accommodate a mix of copper, single-mode fiber, or multi-mode fiber interfaces. To ensure network availability, the platform incorporates BypassP2 double-protection technology, which pairs fail-safe optical and copper relays with inline heartbeat-generated packets. This mechanism is designed to maintain continuous traffic forwarding in the event of power loss or an inline tool failure.
