Method and system for communicating an information packet through multiple networks

Abstract

Through a first network, a first computing device receives an information packet originating from a client. In response to the information packet, the first computing device identifies a computing device that stores a data structure of a connection with the client. When the identified computing device is the first computing device, the first computing device performs an operation in response to the information packet. When the identified computing device is a second computing device, the first computing device outputs the information packet through a second network to the second computing device, such that the output information packet bypasses the first network. The second computing device performs the operation in response to the information packet.

1 . An information processing system, comprising: 
 a first computing device configured to: 
 through a first network, receive an information packet originating from a client;  
 in response to receiving the information packet, identify a computing device that stores a data structure of a connection with the client;  
 when the identified computing device is the first computing device, execute a software application associated with the information packet; and  
 when the identified computing device is a second computing device, output the information packet through a second network to the second computing device for executing the software application associated with the information packet, such that the output information packet bypasses the first network.  
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first computing device comprises a network interface card.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first network includes a local area network.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the local area network is coupled through a global computer network to the client.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the second network includes a local area network.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first network includes a first local area network, and wherein the second network includes a second local area network.  
   
   
       7 . (canceled)  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the software application is a socket application.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the information packet is addressed by the client to the first computing device, and wherein the first computing device is configured to receive the information packet through the first network in response to the addressing.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the executed software application outputs a response packet to the client, and wherein the first computing device is configured to: 
 when the identified computing device is the second computing device, output the information packet through the second network to the second computing device for outputting the response packet to the client, such that the output response packet bypasses the first computing device.    
   
   
       11 . A method performed by a first computing device of an information processing system, the method comprising: 
 through a first network, receiving an information packet originating from a client;    in response to receiving the information packet, identifying a computing device that stores a data structure of a connection with the client;    when the identified computing device is the first computing device, executing a software application associated with the information packet; and    when the identified computing device is a second computing device, outputting the information packet through a second network to the second computing device for executing the software application associated with the information packet, such that the output information packet bypasses the first network.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first computing device comprises a network interface card.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first network includes a local area network.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the local area network is coupled through a global computer network to the client.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the second network includes a local area network.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first network includes a first local area network, and wherein the second network includes a second local area network.  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the software application is a socket application.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the information packet is addressed by the client to the first computing device, and wherein the receiving of the information packet through the first network is in response to the addressing.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the executed software application outputs a response packet to the client, and wherein the method comprises: 
 when the identified computing device is the second computing device, outputting the information packet through the second network to the second computing device for outputting the response packet to the client, such that the output response packet bypasses the first computing device.    
   
   
       21 . A computer-readable memory medium containing contents that cause a first computing device of an information processing system to perform a method comprising: 
 through a first network, receiving an information packet originating from a client;    in response to receiving the information packet, identifying a computing device that stores a data structure of a connection with the client;    when the identified computing device is the first computing device, executing a software application associated with the information packet; and    when the identified computing device is a second computing device, outputting the information packet through a second network to the second computing device for executing the software application associated with the information packet, such that the output information packet bypasses the first network.    
   
   
       22 . The computer-readable memory medium of  claim 21  wherein the first computing device comprises a network interface card.  
   
   
       23 . The computer-readable memory medium of  claim 21  wherein the first network includes a local area network.  
   
   
       24 . The computer-readable memory medium of  claim 21  wherein the local area network is coupled through a global computer network to the client.  
   
   
       25 . The computer-readable memory medium of  claim 21  wherein the second network includes a local area network.  
   
   
       26 . The computer-readable memory medium of  claim 21  wherein the first network includes a first local area network, and wherein the second network includes a second local area network.  
   
   
       27 . The computer-readable memory medium of  claim 21  wherein the contents are instructions that when executed cause the first computing device to perform the method.  
   
   
       28 . The computer-readable memory medium of  claim 21  wherein the software application is a socket application.  
   
   
       29 . The computer-readable memory medium of  claim 21  wherein the information packet is addressed by the client to the first computing device, and wherein the method comprises: 
 receiving the information packet through the first network in response to the addressing.    
   
   
       30 . The computer-readable memory medium of  claim 21  wherein the software application outputs a response packet to the client, and wherein the method comprises: 
 when the identified computing device is the second computing device, outputting the information packet through the second network to the second computing device for outputting the response packet to the client, such that the output response packet bypasses the first computing device.