> I would be interested to hear how people implement a low cost "ping" request to the server. A simple query, or call to a SP may be best, since it would test all required systems.

I don't use Interbase events, and have built my own
'EquipmentManager' which multicasts out a poll, and monitors
the replies. In the case of a failure, a number of methods
can be used to recover. The usual one is just 'reset' the
network connection, and that restores 90% of windows fall
overs. But in the case of the main server not running, the
local monitors just change from 'main' to 'backup' and carry
on. I've been using a simple replicate at the moment, but am
looking at putting in IBObjects replicate for a better job.
For the volumn of data it works great, and you can pull
cables ( as long as they are not W2k machines ) and they
recover in a minute or so and carry on.

Certainly low cost, and the messages notify of changes to
records, so there is no global refresh activity.

--
Lester Caine
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L.S.Caine Electronic Services