10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet USB Bypass Network Tap - Fail-Safe

In this review of the 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet/USB Bypass Network Tap, the bottom line is simple: network engineers and security analysts who need a non-intrusive, fail-safe way to capture live traffic will find strong value here. The device acts like a dedicated port mirror and provides isolated monitor ports to protect analysis equipment, while an automatic bypass preserves network continuity on power loss. For those who need portable packet capture with Power-over-Ethernet pass-through and USB3 capture convenience, this unit is worth evaluating.

Key Features

• Gigabit bypass tap: Captures 10/100/1000Base-T traffic without interrupting the live link, letting tools like Wireshark and tcpdump see packets reliably.
• Isolated monitor ports: The two sniff/monitor ports are electrically separated from the network under test to protect analysis hosts and avoid affecting production traffic.
• Automatic fail-safe bypass: If power is lost, the tap automatically bypasses so network traffic continues to flow without interruption.
• POE pass-through: Power-over-Ethernet is supported and passes through to the downstream device, preserving powered equipment while monitoring.
• Flexible power options: Can be powered from a PC via USB3 port or from a 5v wall transformer, and supports 5v through USB while consuming about 500ma.
• Robust capture support: Captures CRC errors and jumbo frames when using the Ethernet capture port for deeper packet analysis.

Who It's For

The LANProbe tap is aimed at administrators, security analysts, and field engineers who need a compact, portable way to mirror traffic for packet-level inspection without relying on switch configuration. Its non-intrusive design and automatic bypass make it especially suitable for production environments where uptime matters.

It is less appropriate for users who require multi-port aggregation, inline packet modification, or those who expect guaranteed 1 Gbps connectivity in every environment; one customer reported mixed connectivity at 1 Gbps, so validation in your specific setup is recommended before wide deployment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides fail-safe bypass so network links remain live if power to the tap is lost.
• Monitor ports are isolated to protect analysis equipment and prevent interference with production traffic.
• Supports POE pass-through and multiple power options for flexible deployment in the field.
• Ethernet capture supports CRC error and jumbo packet visibility for thorough analysis.

Cons

• Some users reported mixed results at 1 Gbps connectivity, so performance can depend on the environment and cabling.

Specifications

Supported link speeds	10/100/1000Base-T
Monitor interface	Two isolated sniff ports
Power input	USB3 5v or 5v wall transformer (Micro-B) or both
Power consumption	Approximately 500ma
POE rating	Pass-through, rated up to 75A at 57vdc
Capture notes	CRC errors and jumbo frames supported on Ethernet capture port
Enclosure	Non-conductive coated aluminum, handheld/mountable

Our Verdict

The LANProbe 10/100/1000 bypass tap is a practical, fail-safe tool for professionals who must capture live traffic without risking network disruption. Its isolated monitor ports, POE pass-through, and simple USB power options make it a good value for on-site troubleshooting and forensic capture, provided you validate gigabit performance in your environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this tap with Wireshark?
Yes, it works with Wireshark, tcpdump, and similar packet analysis tools when connected via the USB3 or Ethernet capture port.

Will the tap interrupt my network if it loses power?
No, the device has an automatic bypass that lets traffic continue to pass if the tap loses power.

Does it pass Power-over-Ethernet?
Yes, POE is supported and passes through to the downstream device, and the tap is rated for POE handling as specified.