a method , apparatus , and machine readable storage medium is disclosed for establishing a test protocol processor which identifies and removes messages from a network element port buffer . subsequent to removal the test protocol processor may perform one of several actions including allowing the message to drop , replacing the message after a delay , replacing the message after altering the payload of the message , and replacing the message after altering the message type . the disclosed self disrupting network element is particularly useful for providing a means to perform in situ field testing of network performance indicators .