Transferring message packets from a first node to a plurality of nodes in broadcast fashion via direct memory to memory transfer

• US 20050080869A1
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bender, Carl A., Houston, John S., Salyer, Gregory, Carroll, Walker B.
• Application Number:
  US10/685,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20050080869A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/212
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/28 using route fault recovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A system and method are provided in which direct memory to memory transfer of message packet information is effected in a manner in which message packets are broadcast to and received at a plurality of data processing nodes. Special codes are established via parameters provided in communication tables which specify this functionality and which also provide signals to the operative communications adapters as to how this mode of transfer is to be handled, especially vis a vis error conditions that arise.

Claims

1. A method for the communication of message packets from a first node in a data processing system to a plurality of nodes in said data processing system, said method comprising the steps of:

establishing a first set of communication parameters, prior to message packet transmission time, in a communications adapter connected to said first node, said first set of communication parameters including an indication that a plurality of nodes is targeted for receipt of said message packet, said first set of communication parameters also including a destination identifier;

establishing a second set of communication parameters, prior to message transmission time in communication adapters connected to said plurality of nodes, said second set of communication parameters including an entry which maps said destination identifier to an address in memory at said plurality of nodes;

transmitting a message packet, with header information linking said packet to said first and second set of communication parameters, from said adapter connected to said plurality of nodes, using said first set of communication parameters; and

recognizing, at adapters connected to said respective ones of said plurality of nodes, which receive message packets from said adapter connected to said first node, that said message packet is targeted for receipt by a plurality of nodes, whereby data in said packet is transferred directly from memory locations in said first node directly to memory locations in memory at said plurality of nodes.