A network tap is a device that can be used to monitor and analyze the traffic and data that pass through a network. A network tap can be inserted between two network devices, such as a switch and a router, and capture the packets that flow in both directions. A network tap can then send a copy of the packets to another device, such as a laptop or a server, for inspection and troubleshooting. A network tap can help diagnose and resolve network issues, such as performance, security, or configuration problems.
A network tap is the least disruptive tool for checking the status of a local network device, because it does not interfere with the normal operation of the network. A network tap does not alter or block the packets that it captures, and it does not introduce any latency or noise to the network. A network tap can also operate in stealth mode, which means that it is invisible to the network devices and cannot be detected by hackers or attackers.