from
Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003)
breath-of-life packet
n.
[XEROX PARC] An Ethernet packet that contains bootstrap (see {boot})
code, periodically sent out from a working computer to infuse the
`breath of life' into any computer on the network that has happened to
crash. Machines depending on such packets have sufficient hardware or
firmware code to wait for (or request) such a packet during the reboot
process. See also {dickless workstation}.
The notional kiss-of-death packet, with a function complementary to
that of a breath-of-life packet, is recommended for dealing with hosts
that consume too many network resources. Though `kiss-of-death packet'
is usually used in jest, there is at least one documented instance of
an Internet subnet with limited address-table slots in a gateway
machine in which such packets were routinely used to compete for
slots, rather like Christmas shoppers competing for scarce parking
spaces.
from
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)
breath-of-life packet
({XEROX PARC}) An {Ethernet} {packet} that contains
{bootstrap} code, periodically sent out from a working
computer to infuse the "breath of life" into any computer on
the network that has crashed. Computers depending on such
packets have sufficient hardware or firmware code to wait for
(or request) such a packet during the reboot process.
See also {dickless workstation}.
The notional "kiss-of-death packet", with a function
complementary to that of a breath-of-life packet, is
recommended for dealing with hosts that consume too many
network resources. Though "kiss-of-death packet" is usually
used in jest, there is at least one documented instance of an
{Internet} subnet with limited address-table slots in a
gateway computer in which such packets were routinely used to
compete for slots, rather like Christmas shoppers competing
for scarce parking spaces.
[{Jargon File}]
(1995-01-26)