What distinguishes passive monitoring from active monitoring in network assurance?

Question

Options

• AReal-time analysis of network traffic
• BContinuous probing of network devices
• CCollection of historical data
• DMonitoring server logs

• A
  92% (33)
• C
  3% (1)
• D
  6% (2)

Explanation

Passive monitoring is distinguished by its ability to analyze actual network traffic in real-time as it flows through the network, without injecting any synthetic or test packets - it simply observes what's already there. This is fundamentally different from active monitoring, which works by continuously probing or sending test traffic to network devices (option B), making B the defining trait of active monitoring, not passive. Option C (historical data collection) is a capability of both monitoring types and therefore doesn't distinguish between them. Option D (server log monitoring) refers to a specific logging technique that is separate from the passive/active network monitoring distinction altogether.

Memory tip: Think "passive = patient observer" - it watches real traffic silently, while "active = actor" - it reaches out and pokes devices to generate responses.

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