DAG 5.4S-12 2-port Network Monitoring Card
The Endace® DAG 5.4S-12 network monitoring card provides the flexibility to capture and inspect traffic on multiple network types, including OC-3/12 (STM-1/4) Packet-Over-SONET(POS). Hardware packet processing enables sustained line rate traffic classification, filtering and management prior to transfer to host system memory via the PCI-X bus. Coupled with an efficient interrupt-free and zero-copy DMA data path directly from the card to application software, the DAG 5.4S-12 empowers solutions to scale to multi-Gigabit performance. With precise packet time-stamping to nanosecond resolution, complete visibility is provided into network behaviour.
DAG 5.4S-12 with Data Stream Manager
The data stream manager (DSM) provides line rate packet classification and steering. It includes the following main components:
- FFilter block - The filter block applies eight bit-mask filters simultaneously to the first 64 bytes of every packet, with the ability to change filter rules ‘on the fly’, in between packets.
- Load balancing algorithms - Two algorithms (CRC-32 & parity) are applied to the IPv4 source and destination address of every packet to identify IP flows as belonging to one of two groups. This grouping can be used to steer traffic to load balance between memory buffers.
- Lookup table - Packet classification and steering based on the combined outputs of the filter block, load balancing algorithms and receive port. Steering based on boolean logic combinations [i.e. IF port=x AND filter=y1 OR filter=y2 AND hash=z THEN buffer=1].
- Coloriser and drop block (CAD) - Checks if the packet should be dropped, if not the classification result is inserted into the record header of the packet.
- Multiplexer (MUX) - Based on the classification steers packets to one of two independent memory buffers in the host system RAM.
Technical Specification
| Monitoring interfaces | Two small form factor (SFP) interfaces. |
| Time Synchronization | External connection for RS-422 synchronisation between DAG cards or from external reference. IEEE 1394 type connector (mechanical compatible only). Conversion cable to ‘RJ45’ supplied. |
| Packet Timestamping | 15ns clock resolution |
| PCI Interface | PCI-X 64-bit 66/100/133MHz 3V |
| Minimum Systems Requirements | x86 processor 1GHz or better, 1GB RAM, 1GB disk space for tools installation One free PCI-X133 slot |
| Power Requirements | Conforms to PCI3.0 |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 55 deg C |
| Operating Humidity | 5 to 95% non condensing |
| Physical Dimensions | Half height, half length PCI3.0 Length 169mm (6.65“) |
| *This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. | |
DAG 5.4S-12 Highlights
- Dual port network monitoring cards supporting:
- OC-3/12 POS
- STM-1/4 POS
- Small form factor (SFP) pluggable interface modules.
- 100% capture into host memory for all IP packets from 64 to 9600 bytes (including Jumbo frames).
- Line rate traffic classification, filtering and memory buffer management in hardware.
- Full packet, header only or set length (truncated) packet capture and transmit.
- Precise nanosecond packet time-stamping with clock synchronization from external time references.
- Use efficient DAG application programming interface (API) or industry standard PCAP APIs (Lib/Win).
- Designed to integrate easily into existing server hardware with PCI-X bus technology.
- Relative timed data replay option enables precise reproduction of traffic conditions (TR-TERF).
Learn More
There are a range of DAG 5.4 card options to support multiple network types and extended packet processing capabilities.
