Patent ID: 7152119
Filing Date: 2006-12-19
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for allocating multiple Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to a Network Interface Card (NIC) which has a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address comprising vendor code and serial code in a host, the method comprising: setting up a virtual Media Access Control (MAC) address by combining a virtual vendor code which is not allocated to vendors and a serial code; mapping the virtual MAC address with one of internal addresses of actual IP addresses allocated to a host; and allocating the mapped internal address and the virtual MAC address to an application that requests an IP protocol, wherein if an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) processor receives an ARP Request with respect to an actual IP address that is allocated to the NIC, then the ARP processor sends an ARP Reply including the actual MAC address, or sends an ARP Reply including a virtual MAC address if the ARP processor receives an ARP Request with respect to an internal IP address that is mapped to the virtual MAC.