Patent ID: 7855957
Filing Date: 2010-12-21
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: teaming a first and second communication ports to create a teamed communication port; creating a plurality of virtual ports which abstract the first and second communication ports, each communication port has at least one virtual port assigned exclusively thereto, and wherein the number of created virtual ports exclusively utilizing each communication port is based on parameters associated with the communication port, wherein the parameters are based on one or more selected from the group comprising of: bandwidth, throughput capability of the networks to which the communication port couples, preference, loading, communication delay, and reliability; selecting one of the plurality of virtual ports out which to send a message packet thus designating a selected virtual port, the selecting considers each virtual port to have the same throughput capability, and the selecting balances message packets sent across the plurality of virtual ports; and sending the message packets out the first or second communication port utilized by the selected virtual port.