Method and system of providing advanced teaming functionality capable of utilizing heterogeneous adapters to improve utility and performance
US6658018B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2101/622
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention discloses a system and computer-readable medium for dynamically maximizing throughput performance of a fault-tolerant network adapter team capable of supporting network adapters of similar and dissimilar types. The fault-tolerant adapter team includes a plurality of network adapters, which are coupled to a computer system (i.e., network server) and interfaces with a data communications network. The system makes use of an agent module, which assesses the capabilities of each of the network adapters in the team and automatically selects a primary adapter for accommodating a substantial portion of the network data traffic. This selection is based on the agent module assessment. In the event of primary adapter failure, the system automatically switches over to the best available alternate primary adapter, which is automatically selected on the basis of the agent assessment. The alternate primary adapter then accommodates a substantial portion of network data traffic. If a replacement adapter is substituted for any failed adapter, including the failed primary adapter, the agent automatically assesses the replacement adapter's capabilities and automatically designat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.