page_title: Vampire tap
hierarchical_section_title: Vampire tap
caption_attribution_description: Vampire Tap as used in ThickNet / 10BASE-5 ethernet. Photo taken by me --Ali@gwc.org.uk 22:22, 17 November 2005 (UTC)
context_page_description: A vampire tap is a device for physically connecting a station, typically a computer, to a network that uses 10BASE5 cabling. This device clamps onto and "bites" into the cable, inserting a probe through a hole drilled using a special tool through the outer shielding to contact the inner conductor, while other spikes bite into the outer conductor. The vampire tap usually has an integrated AUI, from this a short multicore cable connects to the network card in the station.
  Vampire taps allow new connections to be made on a given physical cable while the cable is in use. This allows administrators to expand bus-topology network sections without interrupting communications. Without a vampire tap, the cable has to be cut and connectors have to be attached to both ends.
context_section_description: A vampire tap (also called a piercing tap) is a device for physically connecting a station, typically a computer, to a network that uses 10BASE5 cabling. This device clamps onto and "bites" into the cable (hence the vampire name), inserting a probe through a hole drilled using a special tool through the outer shielding to contact the inner conductor, while other spikes bite into the outer conductor.  The vampire tap usually has an integrated AUI (Attachment Unit Interface), from this a short multicore cable connects to the network card in the station.
  Vampire taps allow new connections to be made on a given physical cable while the cable is in use.  This allows administrators to expand bus-topology network sections without interrupting communications. Without a vampire tap, the cable has to be cut and connectors have to be attached to both ends.
caption: Dismantled vampire tap. Central metal-tipped insulated spike contacts cable core; smaller spikes contact cable shield. Note black mark on cable sheath indicating suitable location for transceiver.
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