A method for monitoring the performance of digital communications has been
provided which selectively performs Forward Error Corrections (FEC)s on
the monitored data. In addition to selectively performing FEC, the process
selectively decodes input data, and selectively encodes data for
transmission. The decoding, FEC, and encoding operations can also be
combined. Further, the process selectively performs evaluations of
SONET/SDH protocol communications, Gigabit Ethernet (GBE), and other fiber
channel communications, in addition to the selective decode/FEC/encode
processes. An apparatus and system to enable the above-mentioned selective
monitoring process has also been provided.
