Integrated circuit capable of transmitting probe packets across a stack of switches

A method according to one embodiment may include communicating with at least one external device using at least one port, said at least one external device comprises at least one probe port. The method of this embodiment may also include receiving at least one data packet and generating at least one probe packet. The method of this embodiment may further include generating at least one probe packet device vector and transmitting the probe packet and the probe packet device vector to at least one probe port of at least one external device via at least one port. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.