US Patent 10333867 Active-active load-based teaming

Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems manage network interface controllers (NICs) to determine when NICs within a host operating in active-passive mode can operate in an active-active mode. A host sends probe messages from a first NIC of the host to determine whether a second NIC of the host receives the probe messages. When the second NIC does not receive probe messages, the NICs within the host can operate in an active-active mode.