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.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to compliment use of priority for reserved traffic in multimedia computerized data communication networks, to insure that the opportunity for transmitting large, unreserved data frames is constrained. If frames transmitted when the server releases a token tend to be small, then the server will capture a larger portion of the bandwidth. Thus, a short bandwidth reservation acknowledgement is transmitted onto the ring by the client for selected frames which it receives. This is not addressed to any station on the ring. Rather it is simply transmitted at a non-zero priority less than the server's priority. The criteria which is employed by the client for such acknowledgement is that the sender will send a bandwidth reservation acknowledgement only when the IEEE 802.5 AC field is set, but will do so for a fixed amount of time or for a fixed number of received frames.