This white paper introduces network TAPs, or Traffic Access Points, as hardware devices placed between two network points to create an exact copy of passing traffic for monitoring and analysis. Unlike SPAN ports or inline monitoring tools, breakout TAPs provide reliable access to full-duplex traffic, including errors, without changing the original data flow or introducing an active monitoring device into the network. The paper explains copper and fiber links, network and monitor ports, and the directional handling of eastbound and westbound traffic. It also reviews aggregation TAPs, which combine both directions into one output; regeneration TAPs, which distribute traffic to multiple tools; and bypass TAPs, which protect network continuity when inline appliances fail. TAPs provide dependab

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