Patent ID: 6512774
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
In a server computer system communicatively coupled to a client computer system in a network, said server computer system adapted to have a plurality of network interface cards (NICs) coupled thereto, a method for detecting a non-functioning NIC comprising the computer-implemented steps of:a) sending a first directed packet from a first NIC to a second NIC; b) sending a second directed packet from said second NIC to said first NIC; c) monitoring said second NIC to determine whether said first directed packet is received by said second NIC and providing an indication to said server system when said first directed packet is not received by said second NIC; d) monitoring said first NIC to determine whether said second directed packet is received by said first NIC; and e) determining whether said first NIC is functioning using results from said steps c) and d).