Abstract: A method for selecting a next available identifier. A plurality of unique identifiers are assigned, preferably in blocks, to each of a plurality of banks. Within each of the banks, when empty, there is one available minimum value identifier and one available maximum value identifier. A number of resident identifiers are counted in each of the banks and at least one bank having a lowest counted number is identified. Within the first available bank, a highest value of all resident identifiers is determined. In the first available bank, the highest value is compared to a maximum value. If the highest value is less than the maximum value, then the next available identifier is equal to a sum of the highest value plus an incremental value. When a check bank counter is set at a value or when the next available unique identifier is a value outside of a range of the corresponding bank, the next available bank is selected and an iteration process begins in the next available bank.