Patent ID: 7493370

Claim:
A method for dynamically determining a primary adapter in a heterogeneous adapter configuration of a plurality of adapters comprising the steps of: each of the adapters generating information about itself including providing vital product data (VPD); said VPD including a predefined model number of the adapter and a current level of the firmware executing on the adapter; and generating a scalar value, said scalar value indicating a capability of the adapter; each of the adapters exchanging the adapter-generated information including said VPD with all other adapters and each of the adapters utilizing the exchanged information including said VPD and identifying a decision-making adapter of the plurality of adapters; said identified decision-making adapter comparing the adapter-generated information of each the adapters and making a decision determining the primary adapter; said identified decision-making adapter notifying all other adapters of said determined primary adapter; and said determined primary adapter assuming a role as the primary adapter and the other adapters assuming a role as a secondary adapter.