High availability and failovers

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for high availability and failover. A device obtains an external identity designated for a set of devices on a network, the set of devices comprising the device and a second device, and the external identity comprising public address settings which the set of devices can use when in live mode to communicate with devices outside of the network. While the device is in failover mode and the second device is in live mode, the device listens for heartbeat messages transmitted from the second device. Next, the device detects a failover event when a predetermined number of heartbeat messages have not been received by the device. In response to the failover event, the device then changes from failover mode to live mode and assumes the external identity.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 listening, via a first device on a network, for heartbeat messages transmitted from a second device on the network, the first device operating in failover mode and the second device operating in live mode;   detecting a failover event when a predetermined number of heartbeat messages are not received from the second device within a predetermined period of time;   in response to the failover event, switching the first device from failover mode to live mode; and   obtaining, via the first device, an external identity for communicating with devices outside of the network.