Abstract: A network flow switch system that uses an active flow switch and a passive flow switch in conjunction to achieve redundancy or failover. The flow switches switch information between network components via Y-cables that allow both flow switches to remain simultaneously connected to the network devices. A failover link connects the flow switches together and allows the passive flow switch to monitor the status of the active flow switch. The active flow switch performs all switching while the active flow switch is operational.

Abstract: A router fault tolerant network interface system includes a switch circuit configured to detect when a router fails in a multi-router local network. When a failed router is detected, the switch circuit waits for a time-out period to expire to allow convergence. The switch circuit then intervenes when traffic from a server to the failed router is detected. The switch circuit translates the MAC address of the failed router to the MAC address of a functional router. Traffic from a server originally directed to the failed router is then redirected to a functional router. In a further refinement, the switch circuit provides the MAC address of a functional router in response to an ARP request from a server to the failed router. Thus, traffic from this server will be directed to the functional router without further intervention, reducing the overhead of the switch circuit.