System and method for rapid peer node failure detection

A method of failure notification using a baseboard management controller (BMC), the method comprising:

• monitoring a network switching unit, the network switching unit including:
• a network processing unit for receiving and forwarding network traffic using one or more ports;
• and
• a host CPU coupled to the network processing unit and managing the network processing unit;
• detecting a failure in the network switching unit;
• and
• notifying a peer network switching unit of the detected failure, the peer network switching unit being coupled to the BMC using a management link controlled by a link controller that is separate and independent from the network processing unit.

An information handling system comprising:

• a network switching unit comprising:
• a network processing unit configured to receive and forward network traffic using one or more ports;
• a host CPU coupled to the network processing unit and configured to manage the network processing unit;
• a link controller coupled to the host CPU and configured to couple the network switching unit to a peer network switching unit using a management link, the link controller being separate and independent from the network processing unit;
• and
• a baseboard management controller (BMC) coupled to the host CPU and the link controller, the BMC being configured to:
• monitor the host CPU and the network switching unit;
• detect a failure in the network switching unit;
• and
• notify the peer network switching unit of the detected failure using the management link.