Connect Wireshark directly to Virtual Connect (VC)?

[chuckk281]

Thomas had VC port monitoring question:

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All,

My understanding is that an external workstation with wireshark installed can connect directly (no switch required) to an uplink port on a VC Ethernet module. HP Sales has told the customer that they must use a switch between the VC Ethernet and the workstation. The customer doesn't want to buy another switch to monitor the ports.

Would you please correct/clarify?

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Cullen responded:

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Connecting a server directly to the uplink port is preferred for traffic monitoring, as connecting to a switch has the possibility of replaying the traffic across the network, which will lead to network loops and take systems down.

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Any other suggestions? Have you used Wireshark to monitor network traffic on Virtual Connect?