LDA NeoTap X

Industry-leading FPGA timestamping, synchronization and tap aggregation solution

NeoTap X is the most powerful and reliable off-the-shelf tap aggregation and timestamping systems on the market to provide this level of enhanced bandwidth, extensive memory capacity and unique set of features, responding to the growing challenges of increasing data volumes. Built on the powerful Neo X reconfiguration networking platform, it is designed for high-speed, real-time operations.

With newly introduced 100G timestamping, NeoTap X sets a new benchmark for precision, delivering industry-leading FPGA-based timestamping for WAN (Wide Area Networks), while the ultra-low latency in-band option opens the path for product use in exchanges and latency-sensitive analytics. NeoTap X offers an ultra-low latency Layer 1 connectivity and flexible software packet processing option for optimized traffic handling.

NeoTap X also introduces an integrated storage option that eliminates the need for external servers, optimizing rack space and infrastructure. It also simplifies deployment, offering a seamless all-in-one solution.

NeoTap X offers 4x more bandwidth than NeoTap, and has a backward compatible timestamping format, making it easy for current NeoTap users to upgrade without major system overhauls.

Key Benefits:

  • Optional integrated storage for compliance & analytics: up to 60 TB of on-device temporary storage enables trouble-free record-keeping for regulatory compliance, troubleshooting, and advanced analytics, reducing the reliance on external storage solutions, making NeoTap X a self-contained tap aggregation and capture system.
  • Low-latency in-band timestamping: for latency-sensitive analytics algorithms and certain other use-cases, NeoTap X provides an option to apply timestamps within the main data flow, ensuring real-time precision while minimizing latency to just 50-100ns-packet-in, packet out.
  • Scalable for future needs: NeoTap X supports dual-FPGA configurations, 100G expansion, and configurable traffic filters, making it future-proof for evolving network demands.

NeoTap

NeoTap, the predecessor to NeoTap X, is built on the former Neo reconfigurable networking platform. It offers precise monitoring while enhancing network performance, however NeoTap does not provide the same capabilities as NeoTap X.

NeoTap vs NeoTapX

NeoTap NeoTapX
10/25G ports 39 48
40G ports 2 4+
Max processing bandwidth 200 Gbps 1.08 Tbps
Max output bandwidth 200 Gbps 600 Gbps
100G Timestamping No Yes, separate FPGA image
In-Band timestamping option No Yes, configurable per port
Aggregation implementation Software, performance varies depending on traffic pattern and system load FPGA: no performance variance
Traffic filtering Software: certain impact on performance, depending on traffic patterns and bandwidth FPGA: no performance impact or dependance on the traffic patterns and bandwidth
Storage option No Up to 60 TB,
up to 400 Gbps bandwidth
Custom processing support Software plugins — shared computing power, may affect system performance
  • Ability to implement independent software applications that fully utilize CPU, PCIe and storage resources
  • Ability to implement parallel FPGA processing on additional boards in the chassis
OS/Software security Regular Rocky Linux 8, LDA tools pre-installed Clear Linux distribution. LDA tools delivered in docker containers
White Rabbit support Yes — front panel por Yes — dedicated port
PPS/GPS support Yes Yes
PTP support No Yes — dedicated port
Time Sync Failover No Yes

Specifications

Hardware
AMD's latest Versal Premium FPGA
96 GB on-chip memory for packet buffering
Dual-FPGA option available: double memory (192G) and bandwidth
Timestamping
150 ps timestamp accuracy
Standard LDA timestamp trailer (backwards compatible with NeoTap)
Ultra-low latency in-band timestamping (“packet in — packet with trailer out” on the same port) — per-port configuration
Input ports and Layer 1
48 10/25G input ports (front panel)
4+ 40G input ports (front panel, via speed reconfiguration)
10/25G or 10G-only Layer 1 fabric available
100G timestamping as a separate FPGA image
Bandwidth and Aggregation
Up to 1.088 Tbps total processing bandwidth per FPGA (cross-section bandwidth)
4x 100G output streams via 2x QSFPDDs. Future expansion capability to up to 600G total in 3x 200G PAM4 or 400G PAM4 + 2x 100G configurations.
10/25/40G output queues via front panel, in parallel with QSFP outputs
Time Synchronization
White Rabbit and PTP support on separate SFP 1G ports.
Standard support for GPS and PPS (no more special order for GPS hardware)
Failover between any two time-sync mechanisms.
Storage Option
Up to eight PCIe x4 SSDs with 480 Gbps maximum total bandwidth
Up to 7.6 TB individual drive capacity (~60 TB total storage capacity)
Direct FPGA to SSD writes possible to utilize full storage bandwidth (based on customer interest)
Software Subsystem
AMD EPYC Milan CPU up to 64 cores,
Up to 256 GB RAM
Clear Linux OS Enhanced security and portability
Total 256 Gbps bandwidth from FPGA to CPU
Configurable traffic filters to control total data bandwidth reaching the software
Simple PCAP storage application provided with tcpdump-like interface
DPDK-based API available to customers to implement advanced on-device analytics or storage applications
100G timestamping features
In-band, one input — one output model for maximum bandwidth per 100G
6x 100G ports in and out with a single FPGA. Twelve 100G ports on a dual-FPGA device
1 ns timestamp accuracy.
Two timestamp format options:
  • Buffered, with standard LDA timestamp trailer
  • MAC header rewrite (no bandwidth overhead — ideal for fully saturated 100G lines)
Two hardware form factor options:
  • Standard NeoX device with SFP+ and 25/100G Layer 1 functionality
  • QSFP ports on front panel — most convenient 100G handling, no Layer 1.
NeoTap X software processing/storage support