[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.
[glossary]
[Reference(s) to this entry by made by: {dickless workstation}{heartbeat}{super source quench}]