Combining network management information with application information on a computer network

摘要

A data processing network and an associated method of transmitting protocol data units (PDU) is disclosed. The network includes a first server including a first network interface card (NIC) that connects the first server to a central switch. The network further includes a second server including a second network interface card (NIC) that connects the second server to the central switch. The first NIC is configured to store a first PDU in a buffer upon determining that the first PDU is of a first type and to combine the first PDU stored in the buffer with a second PDU of a second type upon determining that the first and second PDU share a common target. The combined PDU is then forwarded to the common target as a single PDU thereby reducing the number of PDUs traversing the network.