Cisco Nexus Dashboard Data Broker vs Ixia Network Packet Brokers comparison

Cisco Nexus Dashboard Data Broker (NDDB) (formerly Nexus Data Broker (NDB)) with Cisco Nexus Family switches is a software-defined, programmable solution for packet brokering. Packet brokering is the aggregation of network traffic mirrored or copied using network/optical TAPs or Cisco Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN) for monitoring and visibility. In contrast to monitoring solutions based on traditional packet brokers, the Cisco NDDB packet brokering approach offers a simple, scalable, and cost-effective solution well suited for customers who need to monitor higher volume and business-critical traffic for security, compliance, and application-performance measurement. It also enables real-time traffic visibility with an event-based approach through northbound APIs.

Network packet brokers (NPBs) filter traffic to send only the right data to the right tool. Packets are aggregated and filtered from Layer 2 through to the application layer. Duplicate packets can also be removed and sensitive content stripped before the data is sent to the monitoring tools if that is required. This provides a better solution to improve the efficiency and utility of your monitoring tools.

• Aggregates monitored traffic from multiple links and segments
• Deep packet inspection and filtering grooms traffic to relieve overburdened monitoring tools
• Extended burst protection, available with the Advanced Feature Module, offers traffic management, and protection to online businesses subject to bursts of activity
• Installs, configures, and sends clean traffic to appliances in less than thirty minutes
• Time stamping and data masking aid in compliance and working with sensitive data