Patent ID: 7505416

Claim:
A network tap that permits a remote computer to connect thereto, comprising: a first port that can interface with a first segment of a network cable; a second port that can interface with a second segment of a network cable, the first port and the second port permitting network data to be communicated between the first segment and the second segment; a routing node that is in communication with the first port and the second port, the routing node being configured to pass network data between the first port and the second port, the routing node being further configured to insert data into the network data stream while avoiding data collisions within the network data stream; an integrated circuit configured to communicate with the routing node between the first port and the second port such that the integrated circuit has access to the network data; and a management port placed in communication with the integrated circuit, wherein the remote computer can be selectively connected to the management port to interact with the integrated circuit.