Abstract: A network virtualization layer for an information handling system in which a physical machine coupled to a network is divided into a plurality of logical partitions, each of which has a host system residing thereon. In response to receiving a set command from one of the host systems specifying a data link layer (layer 2) address, the virtualization layer associates the data link layer address with the host system and forwards to the host system data packets specifying the data link layer address as a destination address. Unicast packets are forwarded to the single host system specifying the destination address as an individual MAC address, while multicast packets are forwarded to each host system specifying the destination address as a group MAC address. A host system may also specify a virtual LAN (VLAN) ID, which is used to scope the forwarding of packets to host systems sharing that VLAN ID.

Abstract: The substantially simultaneous tracing/monitoring of a plurality of sets of events via a single network interface. The plurality of events can be traced and/or monitored for one host or for a plurality of hosts coupled via the same network interface. The sets of events to be traced/monitored for a host are defined by the host and maintained in one or more configuration files. The configuration files may be dynamically updated.