Abstract: In a communications network having a plurality of nodes adapted to communicate with each other, and more than one path available between most source-destination node-pairs, a network interface is associated with each node. Each network interface has a plurality of route tables for defining a plurality of routes for transferring each packet from a source node to a destination node. Each network interface further includes a path status table of path status indicators, e.g., bits, for indicating whether each route in the route tables is usable or is unusable as being associated with a fault. The network manager monitors the network to identify faults and provides the path status indicators to the respective network interfaces. Failed routes in the network are avoided based on the path status indicators. When a failed route is restored, such that the route is usable again, the path status table indicates that the usable state is restored.

Abstract: Endpoint identifiers are dynamically assigned to network interfaces, in response to a change in physical connection. When a physical connection associated with a network interface is changed, such as a cable coupling the network interface to an endpoint is moved from one location to another location, a new endpoint identifier is assigned to the network interface. The new endpoint identifier is based on the location of the new endpoint.

Abstract: A series of state transitions is indicative of performance of hardware service actions. A transition from, for instance, a disconnected state to a connected state for a hardware component is indicative of performance of a service action for the hardware component. Detection of this transition is automatic.

Abstract: A network exploration is performed to initialize one or more network elements of the network. If during the network exploration a failure is encountered, a systematic and deterministic approach is used to accurately and particularly identify the faulty network component that caused the failure.

Abstract: Deadlocks are avoided in performing failovers in communications environments that include partnered interfaces. An ordered set of steps are performed to failover from one interface of a partnered interface to another interface of the partnered interface such that deadlocks are avoided.

Abstract: A network exploration is performed to initialize one or more network elements of the network. If during the network exploration a failure is encountered, a systematic and deterministic approach is used to accurately and particularly identify the faulty network component that caused the failure.

Abstract: Adapters, which provide message communications capabilities in a multinode data processing network, are provided with a mechanism for indicating critical errors from which recovery may ultimately be possible. Error handling capabilities are incorporated which operate both globally and locally to insure, to the greatest extent possible, that applications running on the network are not prematurely terminated and that the node with the error affected adapter is not prematurely removed from its connectivity with the other nodes within it network group.

Abstract: Adapters, which provide message communications capabilities in a multinode data processing network, are provided with a mechanism for indicating critical errors from which recovery may ultimately be possible. Error handling capabilities are incorporated which operate both globally and locally to insure, to the greatest extent possible, that applications running on the network are not prematurely terminated and that the node with the error affected adapter is not prematurely removed from its connectivity with the other nodes within it network group.

Abstract: A network exploration is performed to initialize one or more network elements of the network. If during the network exploration a failure is encountered, a systematic and deterministic approach is used to accurately and particularly identify the faulty network component that caused the failure.

Abstract: A method, and a system for implementing the method, for implementing the method, for determining if a wire has been miswired in a network comprising service nodes and switch elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing operator commands with a failover process in a distributed system having a control workstation and a plurality of nodes. One of the nodes of the distributed system is designated a primary node and one of the nodes is designated a backup node. The backup node includes a backup daemon for performing a failover process if the primary node fails such that the backup node becomes the primary node. Shell scripts send a command string to be synchronized with the operation of the backup daemon from the control workstation to the backup node. The backup daemon is then checked to determine if the backup daemon is sleeping, and, in the event the backup daemon is sleeping, commands derived from the command string are enqueued in a work queue for processing by the backup daemon. The backup daemon is then awakened such that the derived commands in the work queue are processed.

Abstract: A method and program product for synchronizing operator commands with a failover process in a distributed system having a control workstation and a plurality of nodes. One of the nodes of the distributed system is designated a primary node and one of the nodes is designated a backup node. The backup node includes a backup daemon for performing a failover process if the primary node fails such that the backup node becomes the primary node. Shell scripts send a command string to be synchronized with the operation of the backup daemon from the control workstation to the backup node. The backup daemon is then checked to determine if the backup daemon is sleeping, and, in the event the backup daemon is sleeping, commands derived from the command string are enqueued in a work queue for processing by the backup daemon. The backup daemon is then awakened such that the derived commands in the work queue are processed.