Apparatus having a network component, connected between at least two networks, with recording functionality for recording communication relationships present during the passage of data traffic, and method for operating a network component

An apparatus comprising:

• a router or a firewall device connected between at least two networks, the at least two networks comprising communication networks, system networks or computer networks, the router or the firewall device designed for allowing data traffic to pass between the at least two networks or to block a passage of data traffic through the router or the firewall device, depending on adaptable and correspondingly activated data traffic rules, wherein the router or the firewall device has an integrated component that provides a recording functionality for recording communication relationships present during the passage of the data traffic, and
• at least one of:
• a START/STOP button is arranged in a web-based management of the router or firewall device;
• a predetermined digital signal input connection of the router or firewall device;
• and an external central management tool is/are provided for injecting a signal interacting with the recording functionality for temporarily activating and deactivating the recording functionality, and wherein the router or the firewall device is constructed to release the recorded communication relationships to a processing program for adapting and subsequently activating the data traffic rules after conclusion of the recording of the communication relationships and only after the recording functionality has been deactivated by the at least one of:
• the START/STOP button;
• the predetermined digital signal input connection;
• and the external central management tool.