A sampling repeater implementing a data packet sampling schedule includes a repeater front-end, a transmitter and a sampler. The transmitter, responsive to disrupt control signals, retransmits a data packet in a disrupted form, or an undisrupted form, to a management unit coupled to a management port....http://www.google.de/patents/US5559801?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5559801 - Programmable packet sampling for network management
