Abstract: Methods and arrangements to monitor communication components such as a network adapters for activity, and identify components that have lower than normal levels of activity are provided. An identified communication component can become suspect component and a candidate for further testing, including different forms of interrogation. Process for interrogating candidates can include generating and sending test packets having the media access control (MAC) address of the candidate to the candidate and if activity is not detected subsequent to the interrogation, the candidate can be flagged as a failed component. Correspondingly, the component can be deactivated and removed from service. In a further embodiment, a backup component can be activated and assume the role previously held by the failed component.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for providing a distributed execution environment with per-command environment management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of digital systems are connected to a serving device. The serving device comprises a sequencer to originate environment attributes and commands to be executed within the environment. Each digital system under test and serving device comprises a listener with a queue to receive environment attributes and commands. A listener on a digital system under test or serving device implements the environment attributes and executes the received commands within the specified environment.

Abstract: An apparatus (500) for detecting removal of items from a compartment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reader (540) for reading Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags attached to items in the compartment and a processor (510), coupled to the reader (540), for identifying items removed from the compartment. Removal of an item from the compartment is detected based on absence of a RFID tag that was previously detected by the reader (540). The RFID tags may be read exclusively when a door of the compartment is closed and the apparatus may further comprise a detector coupled to the processor (510) for detecting open/close status of the door. Removal of an item is preferably confirmed only when a RFID tag attached to an item has been absent from the compartment for longer than a defined time period.