Patent ID: 6233613
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A probe for monitoring communications over a communication link of a network between a first communication node and a second communication node, said probe comprising:a tap for coupling in parallel onto said communication link;a receiver magnetics circuit coupled to said tap for receiving signals from said communication link;a high impedance termination circuit coupled to an output of said receiver magnetics circuit, said high impedance termination circuit having an impedance 10 to 20 times that of individual internal termination impedances of said first and said second communication nodes such that the presence of said probe does not disrupt electrical characteristics of said communication link, and wherein said receiver magnetics circuit and said high impedance termination circuit do not introduce any signal into said communication link;a physical layer circuit coupled to said high impedance termination circuit, said physical layer circuit for recovering bits from said signals received from said communication link; anda communication monitoring circuit coupled to an output of said physical layer circuit for gathering and maintaining statistical information regarding said communication link.