A method for recovering from malfunctions in a primary agent module of a modular
network device. The primary agent module is installed in a modular network device
having a number of network interface modules housed in a chassis. A backup agent
module is installed in the chassis when the modular network device is powered on.
The backup agent module determines if the primary agent module has been installed
when three dedicated signals of the primary agent module are asserted. The network
device then synchronizes all configuration information of the network interface
modules from the primary to the backup agent module. The backup agent module detects
that the primary agent module has failed if it cannot receive a message sent from
the primary agent module within a predetermined time interval. As a result, the
modular network device is rebooted and the backup agent module becomes the primary
agent module.
