Method and apparatus for redirecting data traffic based on external switch port status

A method comprising:

• a first switch monitoring the status of a designated external port, wherein the status of the designated external port is selected from the group consisting of active and inactive;
• a host computer periodically sending a query to the first switch to request the status of the designated external port, wherein the host computer has a first connection to a designated internal port that is mapped to the designated external port of the first switch and a second connection to an alternate internal port that is mapped to an alternate external port;
• in response to receiving the query, the first switch providing a reply communication to the host computer, wherein the reply communication includes the status of the designated external port;
• and
• in response to receiving the reply communication from the first switch indicating that the status of the external port is inactive, the host computer redirecting outbound VLAN traffic away from the inactive designated external port through the alternate internal port to the alternate external port without deactivating the designated internal port.