Patent ID: 6614800
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for communicating on a network between a first data processing system having a single network interface card (NIC) and a second data processing system having a single NIC, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:transmitting data packets on the network from the first data processing system to the second data processing system on a first channel in a virtual private network (VPN) using a primary network address; and transmitting administrative packets, which are related to the operation of the first channel, on the network from the first data processing system to the second data processing system on a second channel in the VPN using an alias network address, the second channel being capable of transmitting the administrative packets concurrently with the first channel transmitting the data packets, wherein each data processing system transmits data packets and administrative packets using its single NIC which supports multiple network addresses simultaneously.