A client on a network is provided with auxiliary low power logic, at the network adaptor, that is always active and simulates network traffic (e.g. Ethernet format) normally sent under control of the main client system processor(s). This logic collects client status information and reports to the network...http://www.google.com/patents/US6266696?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6266696 - Full time network auxiliary for a network connected PC
