Patent attributes
Automatic network configuration of cluster paths to access data within a cluster is described. Each node of the cluster presents to clients an image of the cluster as a single system. Each node also stores information regarding what node has particular data, as well as information about network addresses and corresponding network capabilities for the various network addresses for each node. When a node receives a request for data, the node determines a node where the request data can be accessed, determines network addresses and network capabilities for each network address of the node, and selects a path to access the node based on the determined information. The receiving node may select the path based on network type and capability, as well as load and performance of the network.