Technical
Discussion
Is
EtherLock software or hardware?
Our
EtherLock hardware product is the central
component of our entire product line. It actively
monitors the physical connectivity of equipment
through the existing wiring of the LAN. EtherLock
includes the ability to convert physical
information to logical information and provide it
to software tools.
How does
EtherLock work?
The concept
underlying EtherLock is that of a closed-loop
alarm system, similar in function to door contact
sensors in home alarm systems. EtherLock
injects a stealth signal on the existing Ethernet
wiring to create a continuous loop through the
Network Interface Card (NIC) in any networked
computer or printer. When the ethernet
cable is disconnected from a NIC, or if the cable
is cut at any point, this loop is broken and
EtherLock immediately triggers event
notification. Any attempt to alter or
jumper the wiring will interrupt the EtherLock
signal and trigger notification.
Where
does EtherLock install?
EtherLock
installs quickly and easily on a LAN between the
hub and the patch panel, usually in a data
closet.
What
must I do to each asset? Do I run extra
cables or load some software on each computer?
For
security, EtherLock requires no modification at
the individual asset level. Because the
system utilizes existing network wiring,
installation is as simple as changing the cables
connections in your data closet.
I have
switches instead of hubs, will EtherLock still
work?
Since
EtherLock is a pass-through device, the connected
equipment does not have to operate through the
same hub or be on the same segment. A
system can protect widely dispersed computers
connected through multiple hubs and switches in a
single closet.
Does
EtherLock work for any network type?
EtherLock
operates over any eEthernet unshielded twisted
pair (UTP) premise cabling such as CAT3, Cat5.
Cat5e, or CAT6, running ethernet 10BaseT,
100BaseT FastEthernet or 1000BaseT
GigabitEthernet. EtherLock does not
currently protect computers on Token Ring or
fiber optic based networks. However, a goal
of our new product development is the adaptation
of our technology to these and all emerging
network topologies (such as ATM).
Does
EtherLock send any packets? Does it
interfere with the network traffic?
EtherLock
operates at the physical layer of the network and
is a pass-through device for data traffic.
It is fully IEEE 802.3 compliant; network
performance is not affected by its use.
- EtherLock
does not transmit data packets across the
network
- EtherLock
does not generate excess noise on data
communication lines
- EtherLock
does not intercept or alter existing
network traffic
What
happens if I turn the computers off?
EtherLock
provides its own signal to monitor all connected
assets, so your computers and peripherals
continue to be protected when they are logged
off, turned off, or even if the network is
down. As long as power is being supplied to
EtherLock, protection of your computer hardware
is assured. We do recommend the use of an
uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for continuous
power to EtherLock.
Can
mobile users remove their computers without
administrator intervention?
Laptop
users may be granted access to protect and
release specific assets through the inControl
browser-based client. The browser interface
avoids training costs and makes access easy from
any platform. The user merely enters their
authorized ID and password to record the transfer
of the asset from EtherLock control to their
responsibility.
What
happens to the network if EtherLock loses power?
From a data
communications perspective, EtherLock is a
pass-through device: the system is merely a piece
of wire that does not impede the flow of data
packets. Even if EtherLock does not have
power, data traffic will travel normally from
source to destination.
How will
I know if EtherLock loses power?
EtherLock
provides an ‘I'm here' packet to inControl
and sets the Watcher module of when it loses
power.
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