METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED NON-INTRUSIVE MONITORING FUNCTIONS

摘要

The invention includes an apparatus and associated method for monitoring signals. The apparatus includes a port unit including a plurality of monitoring functions associated with a respective plurality of data communication channels, and a switch unit adapted for switching signals conveyed by the data communication channels, where the switch unit includes a monitoring function controller and a plurality of monitoring function images associated with the respective monitoring functions. The monitoring function images are adapted for conveying configuration information from the monitoring function controller to the respective monitoring functions and conveying status information from the respective monitoring functions to the monitoring function controller.