Abstract: The present invention relates to a network communication apparatus 150, which comprises: means for receiving data units, the data units comprising payload data; means for forwarding said data units on to a further network location; means for inspecting the payload data of a data unit; and means for modifying said data unit before the entire data unit has been forwarded on in dependence on the outcome of the data unit inspection thereby to alter the subsequent handling of that modified data unit once it has been forwarded on. The present invention also extends to a communication system and to a corresponding method of monitoring network communications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a network communication apparatus 150, which comprises: means for receiving data units, the data units comprising payload data; means for forwarding said data units on to a further network location; means for inspecting the payload data of a data unit; and means for modifying said data unit before the entire data unit has been forwarded on in dependence on the outcome of the data unit inspection thereby to alter the subsequent handling of that modified data unit once it has been forwarded on. The present invention also extends to a communication system and to a corresponding method of monitoring network communications.