This invention concerns providing a fault tolerant data service using multiple redundant off-the-shelf-database servers connected by low bandwidth networks. The data service continues operation regardless partial processing hardware failures, network failures, operating system failures and incidental database malfunctions. A database gateway automatically replicates database communication packets and monitors the wellness of communication networks and supporting database servers. It can quickly identify a unstable connection or a database server, thus providing highly reliable data service to all clients. An algorithm is disclosed to accomplish these tasks using minimal original client data.