A method for analyzing Gigabit Ethernet (GBE) and fiber channel protocol communications
is provided which provides a more detailed understanding of the errors, than that
provided under the IEEE 802.3z standard. The method creates an additional parity
error signal which is not specified under the IEEE 802.3z standard. The parity
error signals and IEEE 802.3z invalid code word signals are used to provide an
analysis of whether the underlying communication errors are a result of 8B/10B
coding word errors or running disparity errors. A system and apparatus to monitor
performance in accordance with the above-mentioned method is also provided.
