In an ATM cell-relay network usually comprising several switching nodes a
method enabling remote surveillance of any entry port to any switching
node of the network. The method first assumes that a path is set up from
the entry port to a remote observation point. Then, all cells of the
incoming traffic, entering entry port to be watched, are duplicated and
marked. After which they are transported, unaltered, following the path,
up to the observation point. The invention permits that any entry port of
an ATM network, that may well span over large geographic areas, be
conveniently observable and analyzed transparently i.e., without
disturbing users traffic, from a remote location so as network can be
maintained and run trouble free.