The purpose of the SS-77 is that of a multifunction data buffer. It is designed to collect data from a variety of sources (primarily PABXs) using various protocols. The data can then be retrieved from the SS-77 using a number of different methods. This allows the buffer to be used where the link between the data processing solution and the data source may be intermittent or otherwise prone to data loss. The SS-77 can also be used to provide remote access to serially connected equipment (RS-232) by Ethernet. The data can optionally be time stamped by the buffer.