Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Network computers have a plurality of network-level interfaces associated with overlapping portions of the network-level address space, such as those represented by multiple static entries with the same address range, or multiple default entries in a network-level routing table. The computers distribute outgoing messages address to the overlapping portions of the address space between the multiple network interfaces associated with those overlapping portions. In the TCP/IP environment, the distribution of messages can be performed on the basis of the outgoing message's source port, the amount of traffic associated with a TCP/IP service indicated by the message's destination port, or by the relative amount of traffic going though each of the respective network interfaces. In some embodiments, the computers are multi-homed end systems which pick the source address of outgoing messages and their associated socket. In some embodiments, the network interfaces between which messages are distributed are dial-up modems having network-level addresses dynamically allocated to them by the computer to which they are connected. Some systems can automatically connect or disconnect such dial-up connections in response to changes communications demands. In some embodiments of the invention, a multi-homed end system distributes messages addressed to a given destination address between multiple network interfaces for the purpose of load testing.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim