Patent ID: 6490632
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
In a server computer system adapted to have a plurality of network interface cards (NICs) coupled thereto, a method for selecting a NIC for sending and receiving data packets in an Internet Protocol Exchange (IPX) environment, said method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:a) addressing an outgoing data packet using an IPX address and a socket number; b) executing a load balancing scheme to specify a first NIC from said plurality of NICs, wherein said load balancing scheme is defined as: SelectedNIC=(IPXAddress)MOD(NumberNICs); wherein SelectedNIC is said first NIC, IPXAddress is said IPX address, and NumberNICs is the number of said plurality of NICs; c) inserting a media access control (MAC) address in said outgoing data packet, wherein said MAC address represents said first NIC; and d) sending said outgoing data packet using said first NIC.