<p>A network tap module (100) having a network line monitoring function has a signal splitter (102) to split a signal (101) received from a network into a first copy (105; 111) which is returned to the network and a second copy (104). A line monitoring and statistics circuit (106) receives the second copy (104) of the signal and carries out line monitoring and statistics collecting thereon. The module (100) further has at least one of: (i) a display (107) for displaying an indication of the state of the network line based on the line monitoring and statistics collection carried out by the line monitoring and statistics circuit (106), and (ii) an interface (108) for allowing data relating to the state of the network line based on the line monitoring and statistics collection carried out by the line monitoring and statistics circuit (106) to be output from the module (100).</p>
