Abstract: A method and mechanism operating within the Application layer of the architectural model for maintaining high availability in a two node computer network which utilizes alternate pathing. A failover mechanism operating within the Application layer monitors the original, primary network path. Upon detecting a failure of the primary path, the failover mechanism halts monitoring of the primary connection, configures the alternate network interface with the parameters of the primary network interface, and brings up the backup interface.

Abstract: A method and mechanism operating within the Application layer of the architectural model for maintaining high availability in a computer network utilizing trunking technology. A backup connection is created wherein a second multi-port network card is added to a node of a computer network. A failover mechanism operating within the Application layer monitors an original, primary trunked network connection. Upon detecting a degradation in performance of the primary trunked connection that exceeds a threshold, the failover mechanism halts monitoring of the primary trunked connection, configures the second multi-port network interface with the parameters of the primary multi-port network interface, and brings up the second interface.

Abstract: A method and mechanism operating within the Application layer of the architectural model for maintaining high availability in a two node computer network. A backup connection is created wherein a second network card is added to each node of a two node network and a crossover cable is coupled between them. Each backup network card is configured with dummy parameters and taken down upon startup. A failover mechanism operating within the Application layer monitors the original, primary network connection. Upon detecting a failure of the primary connection, the failover mechanism halts monitoring of the primary connection, configures the backup network interface with the parameters of the primary network interface, and brings up the backup interface.

Abstract: A method and mechanism, operating within an application layer of the architectural model of a communications protocol, for maintaining high availability in a computer network utilizing virtual Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. A backup connection is created wherein a second network card is added to a node of a computer network. A failover mechanism operating within the application layer captures an original virtual IP configuration corresponding to a primary network connection of the node and monitors the primary network connection. Upon detecting a failure of the primary network connection, the failover mechanism halts monitoring of the primary connection, captures the current virtual IP configuration of the primary network connection, configures the second network interface with the parameters of the primary network interface, and brings up the second interface. If the current virtual IP configuration was successfully captured, it is used in the configuration of the second interface.

Abstract: A communications adapter system having a server, a pair of redundant I/O boards, a pair of redundant network interface cards and a pair of redundant switches. A software program monitors the system for failures, and is typically stored in the memory of the server. The system is fully redundant and can check connectivity from the server to a remote network device. The system can also run on FDDI systems.