Patent ID: 8611234

Claim:
A data network, said data network comprising: a network switch; and a plurality of network nodes; wherein each of said network nodes includes a network interface card, each network interface card of each of said network nodes includes a connection port by which data can flow to and from the associated network node, each network interface card of each network node includes a tracing signal generator which, when energized, generates a unique tracing signal at said connection port; and wherein said network switch includes a plurality of network interface cards, each of said network interface cards of said network switch includes a network switch port by which said network switch communicates with a remote network node of the plurality of nodes, each of said network interface cards of said network switch also includes a visual indicator, at least one of said network switch and said network interface cards of said network switch includes a data communication activity sensor, each of said data communication activity sensors being coupled to the visual indicator of the associated network card of said network switch for activating said visual indicator with a data activity indication when data is coupled through said associated network interface card, and each of said network interface cards of said network switch also includes a sensor responsive to said tracing signal for illuminating the visual indicator of the associated network interface card of said network switch with a trace indication wherein the trace indication is distinguishable from the data activity indication.