A technician is troubleshooting connectivity issues and needs to promiscuously route a copy of traffic to a separate machine for analysis. Which of…

A network tap is a hardware device specifically designed for monitoring network traffic. It is physically inserted into a network link, where it creates an exact, bit-for-bit copy of all data flowing through it, including physical layer errors. This copied traffic is then sent to a dedicated monitoring port, allowing a separate analysis machine to capture and inspect all packets promiscuously without affecting the live network's performance or integrity. This directly addresses the technician's need to route a copy of traffic for analysis.

A. Toner probe: This tool is used with a tone generator to physically trace and identify a specific cable within a bundle or wall jack; it does not interact with data traffic.

B. Wi-Fi analyzer: This is used to inspect and troubleshoot wireless networks by analyzing signal strength, channel utilization, and wireless packets, not for tapping into a physical wired link.

D. Loopback plug: This is a diagnostic connector used to test a network port on a device by sending signals out and immediately routing them back in to verify port functionality.

1. CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1101) Exam Objectives

Version 5.0

Section 2.5

"Given a scenario

use appropriate networking tools." This document lists "Network tap" as a required tool for technicians to know.

2. Garland Technology. (n.d.). What is a Network TAP?. Official Vendor Documentation. Retrieved from their educational resources

which state

"Network TAPs (Test Access Points) are purpose-built hardware devices that create an exact copy of the traffic flowing across a network link... providing safe and simple access to that traffic for monitoring and security tools."

3. University of Illinois. (n.d.). Glossary: Network Tap. Technology Services. This university resource defines a network tap as a "hardware device which provides a way to access the data flowing across a computer network."

4. Sanders

C. (2012). Practical Packet Analysis: Using Wireshark to Solve Real-World Network Problems (2nd ed.). No Starch Press. Chapter 1

"Packet Analysis and Network Basics

" p. 11

describes network taps as devices that "sit between two points on the network... and copy traffic to a third monitoring port." (Note: While a commercial book

its author is a recognized expert

and the content is foundational and widely accepted in academic and professional settings

aligning with the principles of university courseware).