Method and system for increasing network information carried in a data packet via packet tagging

An apparatus for providing statistical network information, the apparatus comprising:

• a repeater means having at least one port for receiving a data packet, the data packet having a data portion;
• a management unit means coupled to the repeater means for determining statistical information;
• and
• a packet tagging circuit coupled between the repeater means and the management unit means for appending the statistical information to the data portion during an inter-packet gap period while the data portion is received at the management unit means.

A method for providing statistical network information in a network, the network having a plurality of repeaters, the network comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a data packet on one repeater of the plurality of repeaters in the network, the data packet having a data portion;
• (b) outputting a first control signal from the one repeater to a controller;
• (c) transferring the data portion of the data packet to a management unit;
• (d) appending statistical information to the data portion during an inter-packet gap period;
• and
• (e) outputting a second control signal from the one repeater to indicate a status of transmission activity to the controller during the steps of transferring and appending.