A method is provided for monitoring a network that includes providing a path selector that can select between a first input and a second input, where the first input is coupled to a
customer premises equipment interface that is operable to receive signals from
customer premises equipment and the second input is coupled to a test
signal generator that is operable to generate test signals. The method also includes determining whether operating
customer premises equipment is coupled to an input of the customer premises equipment interface that is coupled to the first input of the path selector. If not, then an idle state is entered into. While in the idle state, it is determined whether a
signal is received from the customer premises equipment interface at the first input of the path selector. The test
signal received at the second input of the path selector is selected unless a signal is received from the customer premises equipment interface at the first input. The method also includes communicating the test signal from the path selector to the network.