Patent ID: 7561587

Claim:
A system configured to function as a layer 4 switch, the system comprising: a layer 2 switch having a plurality of ports, wherein a third port of the plurality of ports is configured to be in communication with a client; a first server configured to be in communication with a first one of the plurality of ports; a second server configured to be in communication with a second one of the plurality of ports; wherein the first server has a real IP address and a real MAC address; wherein the second server has a real IP address and a real MAC address; wherein the real MAC address of the second server and the real MAC address of the first server are different from one another; wherein the first server and the second server share a virtual IP address and a virtual MAC address; wherein the shared virtual MAC address is different from the real MAC address of the first server and different from the real MAC address of the second server; wherein the shared virtual IP address is different from the real IP address of the first server and different from the real IP address of the second server; wherein the first server and the second server are configured to provide the shared virtual MAC address responsive to an ARP request received by both the first server and the second server for the shared virtual IP address; wherein each of the first server and the second server is configured to provide its real MAC address responsive to an ARP request for its real IP address.