Automatic hardware failure detection and recovery for distributed max sessions server

An apparatus comprising:

• a memory element including a master list of a plurality of entries, each entry including:
• an established unique identification value (UIV) for an established network connection through a respective port on one of one or more network access servers (NASs) in a data communications network, the established network connection resulting from a previous request from a user to log in to the respective port;
• and
• respective group identification information for the user associated with the previous request to log in to the respective port;
• and
• a processor operable to execute instructions for maintaining the master list and for authorizing network connections in the data communications network, including:
• generating a new unique identification value (UIV) for a new network connection initiated by a request to log in to the data communications network from a current user;
• identifying an existing entry in the master list indicating an abnormal disconnection of a previously logged in user;
• changing a first counter to indicate a first group of users contains one less logged in user, the first group identified by group identification information in the existing entry;
• and
• authorizing the new network connection if a predetermined maximum number of sessions for a second group of users has not been met, the current user belonging to the second group of users.

Logic encoded in one or more non-transitory media that includes code for execution and when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations comprising:

• generating a new unique identification value (UIV) for a new network connection initiated by a request from a current user to log in to a data communications network;
• comparing the new UIV to a master list of a plurality of entries, each entry including:
• an established UIV for an established network connection through a respective port on one of one or more network access servers (NASs) in the data communications network, the established network connection resulting from a previous request from a user to log in to the respective port;
• and
• respective group identification information for the user associated with the previous request to log in to the respective port;
• identifying an existing entry in the master list including an established UIV equivalent to the new UIV, the existing entry indicating an abnormal disconnection of a previously logged in user;
• and
• changing a counter to indicate a first group of users contains one less logged in user, the first group identified by group identification information in the existing entry.