BIG-IP ASM needs in-line access to all of the network traffic so it can detect security threats and prevent them from entering the network. While BIG-IP ASM is designed and manufactured to the highest levels of reliability, an extra layer of protection to ensure availability of business-critical applications can be obtained by deploying the appliance in conjunction with an external Bypass Switch device. The Bypass Switch keeps network traffic flowing when power fails to BIG-IP ASM or to the Bypass Switch itself. It also opens the link to traffic flow if BIG-IP ASM becomes unavailable
for any reason, and the Switch can be commanded through a remote management interface to take BIG-IP ASM offline whenever desired.

This paper discusses how a Bypass Switch accomplishes these operations.