A networked computer system in which a gateway is selected for efficient transmission over a network using a layered protocol. When a transmission over the network fails, information at multiple protocol layers indicates the usability of the gateway through which the failed transmission was made. In a layered protocol with an application or connection layer, a path layer and a link layer, information at the link layer is used to determine whether retransmission through the same gateway should be attempted. Information at the path layer is used to determine whether the gateway is faulty. Information from the application or connection layer is used to determine whether responses are received to transmissions. These determinations are used in setting the status of the gateway, which in turn is used to prioritize gateways when selecting a gateway for future transmissions. The system also temporarily raises the priority associated with a gateway so that it will be used in a transmission, which can reveal that the state of the gateway should be changed.