Network connection switchover is accomplished through a method comprising receiving information defining a first connection between a first network device and a computer; establishing a replication channel between the first network device and a backup device; storing backup control information at the backup device; communicating a message flow between the first network device and the computer on the first transport connection; in response to unavailability of the first network device, communicating messages on the replication channel that cause (a) establishing a second connection between the backup device and the computer; (b) continuing communication of the message flow between the backup device and the computer based on the backup control information. TCP connections, for example, can be switched from an active device to a backup device without reset or re-transmission.