Patent ID: 7388831

Claim:
In a communication system having a plurality of nodes each having a plurality of physical communication ports, a method for controlling and managing ports in data routing, comprising the steps of: (a) defining one or more hierarchical bonds for the individual nodes using the ports specific to the nodes comprising a logical interface at a top level of hierarchical bonds by grouping a plurality of ports; (b) defining a first subjugate logical interface at a second level of the hierarchical bond as an element of the top-level logical interface by defining a plurality of first portions each specific to an individual one of the nodes recording availability status of the hierarchical bonds for routing of data by monitoring characteristics of both logical and physical interfaces and data links of the hierarchical bond; and (c) defining a common second portion providing configuration input to the plurality of nodes for use in the monitoring by the first portion; (d) routing data by addressing the top-level bond, which then uses logical and physical ports and interfaces of the hierarchy for data transmission.