Packet switch and method of use

A packet switch device for providing visibility of traffic in a network, comprising:

• a housing;
• a processing unit located in the housing;
• a first network port communicatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the first network port is configured to communicate with the network;
• a second network port communicatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the second network port is configured to communicate with the network;
• at least one instrument port communicatively coupled to the processing unit, the at least one instrument port configured to communicate with a first network monitoring instrument;
• wherein the processing unit is configured to support a movement of packets from one or both of the first and second network ports to the at least one instrument port.

A packet switch device for providing visibility of traffic in a network, comprising:

• a housing;
• a processing unit located in the housing;
• a first network port communicatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the first network port is configured to communicate with the network;
• a second network port communicatively coupled to the processing unit, wherein the second network port is configured to communicate with the network;
• at least one instrument port communicatively coupled to the processing unit, the at least one instrument port configured to communicate with a first network monitoring instrument;
• wherein the processing unit is configured to obtain a packet with a first destination address associated with a first location, and pass the packet to the at least one instrument port for transmission to the first network monitoring instrument at a second location that is different from the first location.