Ion loss of control

An ideal scenario would be to have a Net3 gateway in your system that sends DMX to your dimmer racks, and thus either your Ion or RPU could output data over the network if one fails?

I may be wrong but I thought that in the Ion had automatic switching so that if the ion and the rpu are networked through a switch that allows the rpu to take control in the event that the Ion loses signal.  I think i just need clarification on what the net 3 gateway really does and how that would benefit my system even though we do not have networked dimmers.

This previous thread may be of use (back from before the days I was at ETC):

http://community.etcconnect.com/forums/p/5174/20662.aspx#20662

So it turned out to be that the connector on the CAT 5 cable I was using does not fit properly in the back of the RPU thus causing the loss in signal to my console, working its way out of the RPU just enough to still appear to be connected. I'm looking to replace the connector but for some odd reason I haven't found a brand yet (among the ones I already own) that actually "locks" in to the back of the RPU. 

So it turned out to be that the connector on the CAT 5 cable I was using does not fit properly in the back of the RPU thus causing the loss in signal to my console, working its way out of the RPU just enough to still appear to be connected. I'm looking to replace the connector but for some odd reason I haven't found a brand yet (among the ones I already own) that actually "locks" in to the back of the RPU.