A technique for combining operations of a wireless access point with a remote probe. An access point links a wireless client to a wireless switch. A remote probe captures wireless packets, appends radio information, and forwards packets to a remote observer for analysis. In an embodiment, the observer may provide a protocol-level debug. A system according to the technique can, for example, accomplish concurrent in-depth packet analysis of one or more interfaces on a wireless switch. The system can also, for example, augment embedded security functions by forwarding selected packets to a remote Intrusion Detection System (IDS). In an embodiment, filters on the probes may reduce overhead.