What types of traffic can be mirrored through port mirroring?

Port mirroring is a network diagnostic technique that allows an exact copy of network packets to be sent to a specific port for analysis. This process is typically utilized for monitoring and troubleshooting purposes, enabling network administrators to observe traffic behavior without interfering with the actual data transmission.

When discussing the types of traffic that can be mirrored, packets received by a port essentially provide visibility into incoming traffic from external devices or networks. Monitoring these packets helps in analyzing data flow, identifying potential issues such as bottlenecks, and understanding traffic patterns, which is essential for maintaining optimal network performance.

While packets sent and received by a port can also be monitored, mirroring specifically focuses on the packets that are arriving at the port, making this option the most relevant in the context of examining incoming traffic. Traffic that has already been discarded by a port does not get mirrored, as it has not been processed or transmitted, thus making it irrelevant for monitoring purposes.