Vampire tap

A vampire tap (also called a piercing tap) is a device for physically connecting a station, typically a computer, to a network that used 10BASE5 cabling. This device clamped onto and "bit" into the cable[1] (hence the name "vampire"), inserting a probe through a hole drilled using a special tool through the outer shielding to contact the inner conductor, while other spikes bit into the outer conductor.

10BASE5 vampire tap with a Medium Attachment Unit (Transceiver) to the left of the tap
Dismantled vampire tap. Central metal-tipped insulated spike contacted cable core; smaller spikes contacted cable shield. Note black mark on cable sheath indicating suitable location for transceiver

The vampire tap usually had an integrated AUI (Attachment Unit Interface), from which a short multicore cable connected to the network card in the station.

Vampire taps allowed new connections to be made on a given physical cable while the cable was in use. This allowed administrators to expand bus topology network sections without interrupting communications. Without a vampire tap, the cable had to be cut and connectors had to be attached to both ends.[2]

See also

References
  1. Liu, Dale (30 June 2009). Cisco CCNA/CCENT Exam 640-802, 640-822, 640-816 Preparation Kit. ISBN 9780080879680.
  2. Prowse, David L. (20 December 2011). CompTIA Security+ SYO-301 Cert Guide, Deluxe Edition: CompT Secur SY030 Cert Gui_2. ISBN 9780132801294.
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