3296 Product - Datasheet
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Overview
The Niagara 3296 is a compact, modular passive bypass switch that ensures failsafe connectivity for inline security appliances, enabling continuous traffic flow during power loss, failures, or maintenance across copper and fiber links up to 400Gb
Key Features

High-density design with up to 8 passive bypass segments, modular support for copper and fiber links from 10 Mb to 400 Gb, USB-based heartbeat and power control, configurable fail-open/fail-close behavior, & a fanless, low-power 1U form factor

Use Cases
Ensure continuous traffic flow with programmable passive bypass protection for inline cybersecurity appliances during failures or maintenance
FAQ
Read the FAQ to discover common questions and learn more about the product or solution.
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3296 Solution abstract (1)

Passive Bypass Made Simple for Maximum Uptime

The Niagara Networks 3296 Bypass Switch is a multi-rate, modular passive bypass switch that supports up to 8 network links to ensure failsafe connectivity for inline security appliances. The system is designed with four modular bypass segments (up to 8 total segments) and features a customized USB Type interface for specialized management and API development purposes.
Programmable Heartbeat-Based Bypass

 

  • Single USB Type-B connection provides both power and heartbeat control

  • Programmable heartbeat enables per-segment link-loss detection

  • Automatically switches segments to bypass when an appliance stops responding

  • Ensures continuous traffic flow during software crashes, hardware failures, or maintenance

Fail-Safe Passive Operation

 

 

  • Passive design guarantees bypass during any power or appliance failure
  • Per-segment configuration for fail-open or fail-close modes
  • Maintains traffic continuity across inline deployments without manual intervention
  • Efficiently protects east-west and north-south flows when cybersecurity tools go offline
Module-Based Multi-Rate Flexibility



 

  • Supports four modules, each with 1–2 bypass segments

  • Mix copper and fiber modules as needed

  • Covers 10 Mb to 400 Gb links (MM, SM, BiDi, SWDM4, ER, LR4, MPO)

  • Provides uniform passive bypass behavior across all module types

Passive  BYPASS PROTECTION IN A COMPACT 1RU FORM FACTOR

Passive protection for any rate

 

High-Density Passive Bypass

  • Supports up to 8 full passive bypass segments

  • Four field-replaceable modules, each providing 1–2 segments

  • Each segment includes dedicated network and appliance port pairs

Passive Bypass Behavior

  • Passive design ensures traffic continuity during power loss

  • Fail-open / fail-close configurable per segment

  • Automatic bypass triggered by programmable USB heartbeat timeout

  • Latching high-performance optical switch ensures fast failover

Multi-Rate Connectivity

  • Supports link speeds from 10 Mb to 400 Gb

  • Copper: 1G, 10G Base-T

  • Fiber multimode: SX, SR, BiDi, SWDM4, SR4 (MPO)

  • Fiber single-mode: LX, LR, ER, LR4

  • Mix-and-match copper and fiber modules in the same chassis

Unified USB Power & Control

  • USB Type-B provides chassis power

    (no external PSU needed)

  • USB also provides programmable heartbeat control

  • USB API enables external control & segment configuration

  • Single USB cable controls power + heartbeat + failover logic

Low Power, Fanless Industrial Design

  • 2.5 W max power consumption

  • Fanless for silent, reliable operation

  • Compact 1U rackmount chassis

  • Designed for long-term high-availability deployments

 

MADE in the USA

Niagara Networks is among the few companies designing and manufacturing network visibility solutions in the USA, ensuring quality, reliability & security compliance Learn more

3296 Passive Bypass Use cases (1)

Use Cases

Implementing Inline Security Tools
Niagara Networks' carrier-grade bypass solution  ensures inline security tool efficiency. It makes sure that data packets are not lost, and all the essential data traffic continues to travel smoothly over the network, even when inline security devices need to be replaced, rebooted, or removed due to failure or for maintenance.
Learn more
Inline Always-on Security - Uninterrupted Network Uptime
Discover how true redundancy in the visibility layer transforms security from reactive to uninterrupted. In this short video, Niagara Networks showcases a bypass architecture that keeps traffic flowing even when inline tools go offline -  ensuring zero downtime, no dropped packets, and constant protection for mission-critical networks.
Watch the Video

3296 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Niagara 3296?

Does the 3296 include TAP functionality or packet processing?

How many bypass segments does the 3296 support?

What happens during a power failure?

What is “programmable heartbeat” and how does it work?

Does the 3296 support fail-open and fail-close?

What link types and speeds are supported?

Is a separate power supply required?

What is the failover time when entering bypass mode?

Can the 3296 mix copper and fiber modules?

What happens to the appliance ports in bypass mode?

What is the power consumption of the 3296?

Is there an API for external programmability?

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Designed, Engineered & Manufactured in the USA

From design to production, our solutions are built to the highest standards of quality, security, and performance, trusted by organizations worldwide and deployed in some of the world’s largest mission-critical networks.

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