Network controller system that uses multicast heartbeat packets

A packet-switched network, comprising:

• a network device that maintains communication in the network by transferring packets;
• and
• a computer system, comprising:
• a processor;
• a main memory;
• a bus system coupled to the processor and the main memory;
• a plurality of network ports, each coupled to the bus system, each capable of being programmed with at least one address, and each coupled to the network device via a corresponding one of a plurality of network links;
• a driver system, executed by the processor from the main memory, the driver system programming each of the plurality of network ports with a common multicast address and operating the plurality of network ports as a team;
• each of the plurality of network ports capable of receiving and transferring packets having the multicast address as the destination address to the driver system;
• and
• the driver system commanding at least one of the network ports to transmit a heartbeat packet having the multicast address as the destination address.

A method of testing a plurality of network ports of a computer system and operated as a team, comprising:

• programming each of the plurality of network ports to receive packets with a multicast address;
• commanding at least one of the plurality of network ports to transmit a heartbeat packet with the multicast address as a destination address;
• and
• determining the status of each of the plurality of network ports based on reception of packets including the heartbeat packet.