For tapping networks, you don 't need a hub if you have a DD-WRT router as you can use IPTables ...

[G+_James Coleman]

For tapping networks, you don't need a hub if you have a DD-WRT router as you can use IPTables to forward packets to another IP Address using the IPTables command listed in this forum. http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=55128

http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=55128

[G+_John Mink]

Good point, if you're looking at a home network or some small network where a low budget is key, this is a great feature!

 

But you're assuming:

1) fairly low bandwidth...  remember that if you have x bits per second going each way on a network, you will be recording twice that, so if you only have 100Mb Ethernet at home, you'll need to be using less than 33Mb as you're creating 33 & logging 66Mb.  If you even hit 34Mb for a second, you'll lose a few packets in your logs!

 

2) A perfectly functioning router.  Remember, this is a software setting whereas taps are hardware, they don't have a bad read of a bit which prevents your monitoring from occurring or some conflicting setting somewhere.

 

For anyone monitoring a more heavily used network or where the accuracy is essential, go with a tap.  But if you're just monitoring your home network, give this a shot!