Patent ID: 9215161
Filing Date: 2015-12-15
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of automatically selecting an optimal one of a plurality of paths between a server and a core switch of a layer 2 network through a team of network interface controllers included in the server, the team having one or more members coupled to each one of the plurality of paths, the team controlled by an teaming intermediate driver that provides an interface between the layer 2 network and a layer 3 network, said method comprising, by the teaming intermediate driver: establishing an address at which the teaming intermediate driver is to receive spanning tree data from network devices in the layer 2 network; monitoring continuously data on the layer 2 network that defines a cost for each of the plurality of paths, the monitoring comprising receiving the spanning tree data and extracting cost information from the spanning tree data; and configuring the team such that one of the one or more resources coupled to the lowest cost one of the plurality of paths is designated as a primary resource of the team.