A device to connect a network node to an RG8 thick ethernet cable without affecting other connected nodes. A vampire tap has an iNTerface box with a "V" shaped groove along one side. A sharp needle protrudes from the ceNTer of the groove. The cable is clamped iNTo the groove by a grooved plate held in position by two thumb screws. With sufficieNT practise, tightening the screws forces the needle through the cable jacket and iNTo coNTact with the cable' s ceNTer wire while other spikes bite iNTo the outer conductor. The iNTerface box has a 15 pin connector to connect to the network node. The vampire tap is often built iNTo the transceiver, with a more flexible multi-wire "drop cable" to connect the transceiver to the node. (2004-08-25)