System for sharing name among network adapters by, dynamically linking adapters having same logical name and maintaining linked state of remaining adapters
US5454078A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 7, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2101/622
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method, system and process for allowing identical server names on a computer system to be shared between multiple LAN adapters. A processor, under the control of the process, prompts a user for entry of a new adapter name. The adapter name is used to build a name query which is transmitted to a local area network (LAN) to determine if the adapter name is already in use by the same computer. If the adapter name is in use by the same computer, then the new adapter is linked to the existing adapter with the same name. However, if no response is received after an appropriate number of retry attempts, then the name is added to the local table of LAN adapter names. When the computer receives traffic addressed to a shared name, the process ensures that only one adapter at a time responds. The responsibility for responding to this traffic is transferred to all adapters sharing this name. This technique results in distribution of workload across multiple adapters and a resultant increase in throughput realized by spreading the load of LAN requests across multiple LAN adapters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.