Method, apparatus, and computer program product for routing packets utilizing a unique identifier, included within a standard address, that identifies the destination host computer system

An apparatus in a data processing environment that includes a plurality of host computer systems that are coupled to a plurality of adapters utilizing a switched fabric for routing packets between said plurality of host computer systems and said plurality of adapters, said apparatus comprising:

• a unique destination identifier that is assigned to one of said plurality of host computer systems;
• a portion of a standard format packet destination address;
• a particular packet that includes a portion that is set equal to said unique identifier that is assigned to said one of said plurality of host computer systems;
• and
• said unique destination identifier for routing said particular packet through said fabric to said one of said plurality of host computer systems.

A computer program product comprising:

• a computer usable medium including computer usable program code, in a data processing environment that includes a plurality of host computer systems that are coupled to a plurality of adapters utilizing a switched fabric, for routing packets between said plurality of host computer systems and said plurality of adapters, said computer program product including;
• computer usable program code for assigning a unique destination identifier to one of said plurality of host computer systems;
• computer usable program code for selecting a portion of a standard format packet destination address;
• computer usable program code for setting, within a particular packet, said portion equal to said unique identifier that is assigned to said one of said plurality of host computer systems;
• and
• computer usable program code for routing said particular packet through said fabric to said one of said plurality of host computer systems using said unique destination identifier.