1. A method for collecting and analyzing first data on a first communication line comprising the steps of: (a) receiving the first data from the first communication line; (b) segregating the first data into packets; (c) selecting packets based on a respective first characteristic of each packet; (d) associating a respective index with each of the selected packets; (e) converting each of the selected packets into a respective record including its respective index; (f) storing the records; (g) storing a count based on a respective second characteristic of each of the selected packets received during each of a plurality of successive periods.