Method and apparatus for supporting checksum offload in partitioned data processing systems

A logical partitioned data processing system for processing a data packet in an interpartition virtual network in the logical partitioned data processing system, the data processing system comprising:

• identifying means, responsive to receiving the data packet at a first partition in the interpartition virtual network from a second partition in the interpartition virtual network in the logical partitioned data processing system, for identifying a state of a first flag and a state of a second flag in the data packet;
• and
• selectively verifying means for selectively verifying a checksum in a first partition in the logical partitioned data processing system for the data packet based on the state of the first flag and the state of the second flag.

A computer program product in a computer readable medium for processing a data packet in an interpartition virtual network in the logical partitioned data processing system, the computer program product comprising:

• first instructions, responsive to receiving the data packet at a first partition in the interpartition virtual network from a second partition in the interpartition virtual network in the logical partitioned data processing system, for identifying a state of a first flag and a state of a second flag in the data packet;
• and
• second instructions for selectively verifying a checksum in a first partition in the logical partitioned data processing system for the data packet based on the state of the first flag and the state of the second flag.