The disclosed embodiments relate to a communication device for use in a node of a system having a plurality of nodes. Each of the plurality of nodes may include network interface controllers (“NICs”) and each of the NICs may have a public identifier and a private identifier associated therewith. A first protocol stack may operate according to a first protocol that is associated with the public identifier and a second protocol stack may operate according to a second protocol that is associated with the private identifier. A storage device may associate the public identifier of one or more of the NICs with the first protocol stack and the private identifier of one or more of the NICs with the second protocol stack. Received messages that incorporate the public identifier may be directed to the first protocol stack and messages that incorporate the private identifier may be directed to the second protocol stack.