Server network controller including server-directed packet forwarding and method therefor

摘要

A network controller including a server-directed packet forwarding mechanism and method therefor improve load-balancing within a network system without requiring an intelligent switch having TCP splicing capability. The network controller forwards connections in response to directives from the connected server, permitting connection splicing within the network controller, but in response to a determination within the server that a connection to an alternative node is more desirable. The alternative node connection can be determined based on data availability, server load or other criteria. The packet forwarding mechanism and can be implemented very compactly within the firmware of the network controller and the server forwarding control can be communicated via the network controller device driver, providing a load-balancing solution with little incremental cost.