Silicom Intelligent Bypass switch (IBS) is an active external Bypass switch that protects network integrity from network failures and network maintenance. The Silicom intelligent Bypass switch (IBS) generates the heartbeat and controls the mode of operation.

The Silicom Intelligent Bypass switch (IBS) supports four modes of operations: Inline, Bypass, Tap and Disconnect. In Inline mode, the IBS diverts inline network traffic to attached in-line network system. In Bypass mode, the IBS does not divert the traffic to the attached in-line network system and diverts it to other network link. In Tap mode, incoming traffic in port NET0 is copied port MON0 and incoming traffic in port NET1 is copied to port MON1.In Disconnect mode the IBS disables the links on the network ports (NET0, NET1). The IBS simulates switch / router cable disconnection.

The IBS generates the heartbeat packets and transmits the heartbeat packet to the in-line Monitor / Network appliance port, the Monitor Network appliance receives the heartbeat packets and transmits is to its other port (bridges the heartbeat packet). The IBS detects back the heartbeat packet and maintains the Inline mode.

The IBS sets to Bypass, Tap or Disconnect when it does not receive back the heartbeat packet from the Network / Monitor appliance. When the Network / Monitor appliance recovers, it transmits back the heartbeat packet and the Intelligent switch sets to Inline. The IBS bypasses its Ethernet Monitor ports on event of power failure, Link failure, in-line software application system hang or user request.

The IBS includes Double Bypass Safe architecture. The Silicom Double Bypass safe architecture is based on two Bypass routing circuitry: An Active Bypass circuitry and Passive Bypass circuitry. If the internal active bypass routing circuitry fails, the passive Bypass routing circuitry is activated.

The IBS can be configured using:

• Simple CLI configuration management via a serial communication console port, Ethernet port using Telnet or SSH.
• Web interface management interface
• SNMP

The IBS includes two RJ45 ports for network ports, two RJ45 ports for the attached in-line network system, serial port (RJ-11) and Ethernet port (RJ-45). The IBS supports Gigabit Copper (1000BASE-T) network standard.

The IBS1U is a 1U host system supports up to four intelligent bypass switches (IBS). The Bypass Switch Host can support up to four intelligent Bypass Switch modules. The Bypass switch host includes two redundant 1 – 220 V AC power supply or two redundant -48 DC power supply.

Figure: 1 – Front panel view of IBS