Reliable local data network arrangement
First Claim
1. In a distributed processing system comprising a plurality of processor complexes, each complex comprising at least one processor, means for transmitting data packets among said processor complexed comprising:
- two local data network transmission media; and
a network interface uniquely associated with and connected to each of said processor complexes and connected to both of said transmission media for conveying operational data packets between the associated processor complex and one of said transmission media and comprising a maintenance processor for receiving control data packets from the other of said transmission media and responsive to received control data packets for controlling maintenance operations of said network interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The reliability of a distributed processing system is enhanced through the use of a highly reliable data communication system. Each node of such a system is connected to the other nodes by a local data network, including duplicated data network media, such as coaxial cables. Each node includes a maintenance processor for controlling which of the duplicate network media is active and which is standby. Regular inter-node data packets are transmitted over the active network medium. Control data packets to the maintenance processor are sent from a control node over the standby network medium. The maintenance processor can also totally stop transmission of data from the associated node to both data network media.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. In a distributed processing system comprising a plurality of processor complexes, each complex comprising at least one processor, means for transmitting data packets among said processor complexed comprising:
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two local data network transmission media; and a network interface uniquely associated with and connected to each of said processor complexes and connected to both of said transmission media for conveying operational data packets between the associated processor complex and one of said transmission media and comprising a maintenance processor for receiving control data packets from the other of said transmission media and responsive to received control data packets for controlling maintenance operations of said network interface.
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2. In a distributed processing system comprising a plurality of processor complexes, each complex comprising at least one processor, means for transmitting data packets among said processor complexes comprising:
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two local data network transmission media; and a network interface uniquely associated with and connected to each of said processor complexes and connected to both of said transmission media for conveying operational data packets between the associated processor complex and one of said transmission media and for receiving control data packets from the other of said transmission media, wherein said network interface comprises a maintenance processor responsive to said control data packets for selecting said one and said other of said transmission media.
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3. A network interface for use in a distributed processing system, said distributed processing system comprising two local data network transmission media and a plurality of processor complexes, each complex comprising at least one processor, said network interface associated with and connected to one processor complex and connected to both of said transmission media, one of said transmission media being designated active and one of said transmission media being designated standby, for transmitting data packets between said one processor complex and said media, comprising:
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a maintenance processor for receiving control packets from the one of said transmission media designated standby and, responsive to receipt of said control packets, for changing the designation of one of said transmission media to active and changing the designation of one of said transmission media to standby; and means for conveying data packets between said one processor complex and the one of said transmission media designated active by said maintanence processor. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6)
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7. In a distributed processing system, comprising a plurality of processor complexes and data communication means interconnecting said processor complexes, a method of communicating data between a first and a second of said processor complexes, comprising the steps of:
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providing two local data network transmission media as part of said data communication means; designating one of said transmission media as active and the other of said transmission media as standby transmitting data packets from said first processor complex over said active transmission medium; receiving said data packets in said second processor complex from said active transmission medium; transmitting control packets from said second processor complex over said standby transmission medium; and receiving said control packets in said first processor complex from said standby transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. In a distributed processing system comprising a plurality of processor complexes, each complex comprising at least one processor, means for transmitting data packets among said processor complexes comprising:
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two local data network transmission media; and a network interface uniquely associated with and connected to each of said processor complexes and connected to both of said transmission media, comprising a maintenance processor for designating one of said transmission media active, for designating one of said transmission media standby, and means for conveying data packets between the associated processor complex and the one of said transmission media designated active by said maintenance processor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification