A network switch apparatus includes a first network port, a second network port, a first inline port, a second inline port, wherein the first and second inline ports are for communication with a pass-through device, a packet switch, and a by-pass device configured to operate in a first mode of operation, wherein in the first mode of operation, the by-pass device is configured to pass a first packet received at the first network port to the packet switch. The by-pass device is configured to switch from the first mode of operation to a second mode of operation upon an occurrence of a condition, and wherein in the second mode of operation, the by-pass device is configured to transmit a second packet received at the first network port to the second network port without passing the second packet to the packet switch.