Method and system for non-disruptive data capture in networks

1. A method for capturing data in a communication port of a fibre channel switch element in a computer network, the method comprising:

a processor in the switch element detecting a condition for enabling data capture;

the processor, in response to the detected condition, setting a control bit to enable the communication port to capture data; and

capturing data in the communication port based on the set control bit, and regardless of whether the communication port has available buffer-to-buffer credit;

wherein data capture comprises collecting information from the computer network; and

wherein buffer-to-buffer credit limits a number of frames that the communication port may receive before a source port stops sending frames, the source port being a communication port in the computer network that sends frames.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein incoming data is sampled to determine what level of data capture may be required.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein incoming data is sampled to determine if the data is from a private or public loop.

4. A fibre channel switch element in a computer network, comprising:

a diagnostic port in the switch element configured to act as both a traditional communication port and a data capture port depending on the incoming frame data; and

a processor in the switch element;

wherein the processor is configured to detect a condition for enabling data capture by the diagnostic port to capture data; and

wherein the diagnostic port is configured to capture data based on the set control bit, and regardless of whether the diagnostic port has available buffer-to-buffer credit;

wherein data capture comprises collecting information from computer network; and

wherein buffer-to-buffer credit limits a number of frames that the diagnostic port may receive before a source port in another network device stops sending frames, the source port being a communication port in the computer network that sends frames.

5. The switch element of claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to filter incoming frames to enable data capture.

6. The switch element of claim 5 , wherein the processor is configured to use frame filtering to determine if a frame is from a public or private loop.

7. The switch element of claim 6 , wherein the processor is configured to use a frame source address field (S_ID) to determine if the loop is private or public.

8. The method of claim 3 , wherein the processor is configured to use a frame source address field (S_ID) to determine if the loop is private or public.