Full server-level redundancy using a single network interface controller(NIC) and a single NIC card

A method, comprising:

• associating, by a processing device, a first set of input pins of the processing device with a first network-switch and a second set of input pins with a second switch;
• setting a primary communication path by communicatively connecting the first set of input pins with a set of output pins;
• checking, by the processing device, for a first stream of readable and useful data from the first switch on the primary communication path;
• in response to determining no readable and useful data is on the primary communication path, checking, by the processing device, for a second stream of readable and useful data from the second switch on a standby communication path, the standby communication path comprising the second set of input pins;
• switching, by the processing device, to the standby communication path when the second stream of readable and useful data is detected, switching comprising performing a circuit switch action by disconnecting the first set of input pins from the set of output pins and communicatively connecting the second set of input pins with the set of output pins;
• and
• incrementing a time out counter when neither the first stream of readable and useful data nor the second stream of readable and useful data are detected.