Patent ID: 7778188

Claim:
A network diagnostic component comprising: a network diagnostic module configured to perform at least one network diagnostic function; and a first transceiver configurable between a first state and a second state, the first transceiver comprising: a first port including an input; a second port including an output; and a third port including an input and an output; when the first transceiver is in the first state: the input of the first port is configured for receiving a first signal from a first node, the first signal forming one or more network messages; the output of the second port is configured for sending the first signal to the network diagnostic module; the input of the third port is configured for receiving a second signal from the network diagnostic module, the second signal forming one or more network messages; and the output of the third port is configured for sending the second signal to a second node without the need for the second signal to pass through another port of the first transceiver or a port of a second transceiver before reaching second node; and when the first transceiver is in the second state: the input of the first port is configured for receiving a third signal from the first node, the third signal forming one or more network messages; the output of the second port is configured for sending the third signal to the network diagnostic module; and the output of the third port is configured for sending the third signal to the second node without the need for the third signal to pass through another port of the first transceiver or a port of a second transceiver before reaching the second node.