US Patent 7433317 Network connection apparatus and network connection switching method

Between network connection apparatuses connected to each other by use of a virtual redundant arrangement, a first network connection apparatus that is in a standby state receives an advertisement message from a second network connection apparatus that is active as a network connection apparatus, and uses a priority comparing section to compare its own priority with the priority in the received advertisement message. When its own priority is higher, the first network connection apparatus uses a master down timer comparing section to compare the remaining time of a master down timer with the time as weighted in accordance with its own priority and resets the timer for a shorter time.