Abstract: The apparatus in one example may have: aggregation groups of network ports; a respective aggregation group having a formation that is one of statically formed, dynamically formed, unknown, or empty; a respective aggregation group having a state that is one of a working state, a degraded state or a failed state; and graphical representation of the formations and states of the aggregation groups, the graphical representation depicting a current status of the aggregation groups of network ports.

Abstract: A computer system teams its network resources by apportioning each of the resources into one of two or more groups. One or more resources make up each of the groups having a link operative to be coupled together as a port trunk to a different one of two or more coupling devices providing connectivity between the system and a network. A unique layer2 address is assigned to each one of the groups. The one or more resources of each group are programmed to receive on their group's assigned layer2 address. A response is generated to a communication request received from the network. The responses specify one of the assigned layer2 addresses.

Abstract: A computer system teams its network resources by apportioning each of the one or more network resources into one of two or more groups. The resources of each of the groups have links that are operative to be coupled in parallel to a different one of two or more network devices that provide connectivity to a network. One of the two or more groups is selected to be a primary group. A team layer2 address is assigned to one of the resources apportioned to the selected group. Each of the resources of the selected group is enabled to receive on the team layer2 address. The network device to which the selected group is coupled is enabled to load balance data received from the network among the resources of the selected group. Data transmitted from the system to the network is load-balanced over all of the resources independent of the group to which they belong.

Abstract: A method and system for load balancing transmission allocations from a computer system based on network conditions. The system includes at least two network interface adapters that couple to a network and receive network information packets. The system also includes a teaming driver that monitors network information packets for each of the network interface adapters, calculates weights for each of the network interface adapters based on the network information packets and generates a transmission allocation for distributing outgoing packets between the network interface adapters based on the calculated weights.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing priority failover determination are disclosed. An exemplary method includes prioritizing ranking criteria for a plurality of network adapter ports based at least in part on user input. The method also includes determining a ranking value for each of the plurality of network adapter ports based on the prioritized ranking criteria.

Abstract: A plurality of peer network devices are configured to load-balance data transmitted between them on a point-by-point basis. Each peer device has a team of network resources coupling it to a local area network. A peer device transmitting data to one of the other peer devices load-balances the data over the team of resources of the receiving one of the peer devices. Each peer device multicasts to the other peer devices a data frame from that includes peer data defining attributes of the team of the multicasting peer device. The multicast data frame is updated with new peer data whenever one or more of the attributes of the team of the multicasting peer device are changed.

Abstract: Inventive fastening assemblies are described. In accordance with one embodiment, an inventive fastening assembly includes: (a) a female unit having a supporting surface covering an interior portion, the supporting surface having defined thereon a U-shaped channel, the interior portion having defined therein a U-shaped channel cavity, the channel being adjacent to the channel cavity, the channel having a width and a thickness; (b) a male unit including—(i) a shaft portion, a head portion; and wherein in an engaged position of the male and female unit, the shaft portion is immobilized at a closed end of the U-shaped channel, the head portion is immobilized at a closed end of the U-shaped channel cavity, the male engages with the female unit by force of gravity and the supporting surface of the female unit immobilizes at least a portion of the male unit within the female unit.

Abstract: A system comprising a computer including a plurality of network interface controllers (Niches), the plurality of NICs associated with an address. The system further comprises a switching apparatus coupled to the computer and an echo device coupled to the switching apparatus. The echo device is adapted to send a packet to the switching apparatus to verify connectivity with the plurality of NICs. The packet comprises the address. The switching apparatus compares the address with a data structure to locate a matching address. If no matching address is located, the switching apparatus sends copies of the packet to each of the plurality of NICs coupled to the switching apparatus.

Abstract: Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with network load balancing are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes a load balancing logic configured to cause different portions of network traffic to be transmitted from a transmitting node to different network adapters in a receiving node to cause the network traffic to be receive load balanced.

Abstract: A resource allocation application is configured to run on a computer system that is coupled through a plurality of network resources to one or more networks. The resources are initially allocated among one or more teams and a pool. One or more usage policies are established for at least one of the teams. Resource usage is continuously monitored to identify actionable resource usage conditions. The network resources are automatically reconfigured in accordance with the one or more usage policies in response to the actionable resource usage conditions.

Abstract: A computer system monitors connectivity between a core network and two or more paths comprising a contiguous local area network segment. Each of the two or more paths couple at least one member of a team of network resources of the computer system to the core network. Each of the members of the team is configured to receive network management frames transmitted by one or more devices residing near or within the core network. A break in the connectivity between a path of the network segment and the core network is detected whenever the at least one member of the team coupled to that path fails to receive an expected one of the network management frames within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A computer system automatically recovers from a split segment condition in which a contiguous layer 2 network segment, comprising a plurality of contiguous paths each directly coupling one or more members of a team of network resources of the computer system to a core switch of a layer 2 network, is split into two or more noncontiguous segments each comprising a contiguous set of one or more of the plurality of paths. The computer system includes a team of network resources having one or more members that couple it to each one of the plurality of paths. A teaming driver binds the drivers of each member of the team and is coupled to the segment through the members of the team.

Abstract: A NIC teaming intermediate driver running on a computer system binds NIC resources into teams to provide a physical interface for the computer system to the network. When configuring a team, the teaming driver assigns one of the team members to be the primary resource and the others to be secondary. When one or more members of the team are coupled to more than one path through a layer 2 network to a core switch, the intermediate driver listens to frames transmitted over the layer 2 network regarding the cost (i.e. the bandwidth) of various connections between switches in the network and chooses the primary member to be that member coupled to the lowest cost path (i.e. highest bandwidth).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed by which it is determined which ports in a system can be combined together to form a team and/or whether ports that are already operated as part of a team are eligible to continue to be operated in the team.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for presenting a list of items to a user via a device having a limited display capability. In general, the number of items in the list may be much greater than the device can display at once. A list module is configured to receive a list of items and determine the number of items, or ranges of items, that may be displayed at once. If the list contains too many items to be displayed on one card, the list module divides them into groups nearly equal in size, so that to display any one item requires the same or nearly the same number of cards. Until each range is less than or equal to the number of items that can be displayed simultaneously, the list module presents (e.g., transmits to the device) cards having successively smaller ranges. Eventually a card will have few enough items to be displayed individually, and the user may make a final selection.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates an oscillating sorting and feeding apparatus for sequentially sorting and feeding a plurality of objects in a serial arrangement, where the objects are sorted into a specific orientation. The apparatus includes a hollow receiving member having a generally cylindrical shape and an inner wall. The receiving member includes an inlet adjacent one end for receiving a plurality of randomly orientated objects, and also includes an outlet at the other end for sequentially feeding out correctly orientated objects in a serial arrangement.

Abstract: A two-sided baby bottle having a divided fluid container is disclosed. The divided fluid container allows the storage of two fluids, such as milk and juice, in a single baby bottle. A stopper, attached to an annular flange of a flexible nipple, is inserted into the opening of the cavity on one side of the bottle, preventing passage of fluid. A threaded collar, similar that used with prior art baby bottles, presses the flange of the nipple against the rim of the bottle, making a fluid-tight seal. A ring, supported by a stem connected to an anchor inside the stopper, allows the user to remove the stopper when desired, after removal of the threaded collar. The stopper may then be inserted into the opening of the second side of the bottle. The nipple, attached to the stopper, tends to prevent the stopper from being forced all the way into either half of the bottle.