Patent ID: 6590861
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
In a server computer system adapted to have a plurality of network interface cards (NICs) coupled thereto, a method for sending and receiving data packets over a network of computer systems, said method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:a) addressing an outgoing data packet using a first media access control (MAC) address and a second MAC address, wherein said first MAC address is a virtual MAC address representing said plurality of NICs and wherein said second MAC address is a virtual MAC address corresponding to a virtual local area network (VLAN) that is a destination of said outgoing data packet; b) selecting a first NIC from said plurality of NICs using a load balancing scheme; c) verifying functionality of said first NIC using a fault tolerance scheme; d) replacing said first MAC address in said outgoing data packet with a MAC address representing said first NIC and replacing said second MAC address in said outgoing data packet with an identifier corresponding to said VLAN; and e) sending said outgoing data packet using said first NIC.