Physical network interface selection to minimize contention with operating system critical storage operations

An apparatus, program product and method dynamically select a physical network interface for use by an application running on a networked computer in a manner that attempts to minimize bandwidth contention between application-related operations and any operating system critical storage operations that may be initiated by an operating system resident on the same networked computer. The dynamic selection prioritizes at least one physical network interface that does not handle operating system critical storage operations over at least one physical network interface that does handle operating system critical storage operations, thus minimizing the likelihood of the application causing poor performance and/or failure of the operating system due to contention over limited network resources.