Multiple virtual local area network support for shared network adapters

Abstract

A data processing system which includes a host computer having a memory partitioned into multiple logical partitions, each partition having an operating system for processing data, an adapter. The data processing system further includes multiple virtual local area networks (VLANs) for exchanging data with the partitions of the host computer. An Internet Protocol Assist (IPA) layer in the host computer assigns one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the partitions, and associates the IP addresses of the partitions with one or more VLANs such that data may be exchanges between an individual partition and one or VLANs in unicast, multicast or broadcast operations.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.