Patent ID: 7646724

Claim:
In a data processing system having multiple hosts, a method for dynamically determining blocking of packets in the data processing system, the method comprising: establishing a connection between a host and an adapter for communication with a Local Area Network; establishing a set of parameters for blocking packets transmitted from the adapter to the host; storing the set of parameters in the adapter to be used by that connection; blocking the packets transmitted from the adapter to the host in accordance with the set of parameters for that connection, wherein blocking comprises comparing one or more of the parameters to a first time period defined as a time interval between receipt of packets, and comparing one or more of the parameters to a second time period defined as a time interval between start of blocking of packets and receipt of a subsequent packet; periodically evaluating the packets transmitted from the adapter to the host for determining changes in the parameters; and based on the evaluation, changing the set of parameters recorded in the adapter for that connection to the host.