Importance

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Abstract

The invention ensures that a single and consistent reply is made to ARP request in a system of connected IP networks. In each host, the first adapter A to become active is designated as being in an arbitrary first physical network (PNET1). For each subsequent adapter B to become active on a host, the host sends a packet over one of the adapters (A) of each network already known to the host with a hop count of one. If the packet is received over adapter B, it is known that adapters A and B are in the same physical network. If this occurs, adapter B is marked as being in the same network PNET1 as adapter A. If the packet is not received over adapter B then B is in a different physical network as A. In this event, adapter B is marked as being in a new network PNET2. When adapter A becomes inactive, if there are other active adapters in the physical network to which A belongs, then one of the remaining adapters B in that physical network is designated to have the responsibility for replying to ARP requests for A. A gratuitous ARP advertisement is transmitted into the network mapping IP-A with MAC-B. When adapter A again becomes active, adapter A will re-assume ownership of ARP replies for IP address A.

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First Claim