A multi-node device with backup connection to a network , the multi-node device comprising: a first node having a port (162/164) operable to transmit or receive data packets; a first internal switch having a downstream port (156/158) coupled to the port (162/164) of the first node , an interconnection port (176/178), and one or more uplink ports (146/148) coupled to the network ; and a second internal switch having a downstream port (152/154), an interconnection port(172/174) coupled to the interconnection port (176/178) of the first internal switch , and an uplink port (142/144) coupled to the network , wherein the first internal switch is configured to detect failure of network communication on the uplink ports (146/148), wherein the first internal switch is configured to use the interconnection port (176/178) to periodically report the health status of the uplink ports (146/148) to the second internal switch , the second internal switch is configured to use the interconnection port (172/174) to periodically report the health status of the uplink ports (142/144) to the first internal switch , wherein on detecting concurrent failure of network communication at the uplink ports (146/148) of the first internal switch , data packets from the first node are routed through the downstream port (156/158) of the first internal switch , the interconnection ports (176/178), and through the uplink port (142/144) of the second internal switch to the network ; and data packets received by the uplink port (142/144) of the second internal switch for the first node , are routed through the interconnection ports (172/174), through the downstream port (156/158) of the first internal switch to the first node . a first node having a port (162/164) operable to transmit or receive data packets; a first internal switch having a downstream port (156/158) coupled to the port (162/164) of the first node , an interconnection port (176/178), and one or more uplink ports (146/148) coupled to the network ; and a second internal switch having a downstream port (152/154), an interconnection port(172/174) coupled to the interconnection port (176/178) of the first internal switch , and an uplink port (142/144) coupled to the network , wherein the first internal switch is configured to detect failure of network communication on the uplink ports (146/148), wherein the first internal switch is configured to use the interconnection port (176/178) to periodically report the health status of the uplink ports (146/148) to the second internal switch , the second internal switch is configured to use the interconnection port (172/174) to periodically report the health status of the uplink ports (142/144) to the first internal switch , wherein on detecting concurrent failure of network communication at the uplink ports (146/148) of the first internal switch , data packets from the first node are routed through the downstream port (156/158) of the first internal switch , the interconnection ports (176/178), and through the uplink port (142/144) of the second internal switch to the network ; and data packets received by the uplink port (142/144) of the second internal switch for the first node , are routed through the interconnection ports (172/174), through the downstream port (156/158) of the first internal switch to the first node . <EOS>