System for performing deadlock free message transfer in cyclic multi-hop digital computer network using a number of buffers based on predetermined diameter
First Claim
1. A message packet transfer system comprising a plurality of switching nodes interconnected by communication links to define at least one cyclical packet transfer path having a predetermined diameter, the switching nodes transferring message packets each from a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective source switching node to a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective destination switching node, at least one of the switching nodes comprising:
- A. a number of buffers, the number being a function of the predetermined diameter; and
B. an interface configured to receive message packets from at least one other of said switching nodes during a message transfer operation, buffer them in said buffers, and transfer ones of said message packets for which the at least one of said switching nodes is not the destination switching node to at least a second other of said switching nodes, thereby to ensure that deadlock does not occur during the message transfer operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In brief summary, the invention provides a new message packet transfer system, which may be used in, for example, a multiprocessor computer system. The message packet transfer system comprises a plurality of switching nodes interconnected by communication links to define at least one cyclical packet transfer path having a predetermined diameter. The switching nodes may be connected to, for example, digital data processors and memory to form processing nodes in an multiprocessor computer system, and/or to other sources and destinations for digital data contained in the message packets. The switching nodes transfer message packets each from a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective source switching node to a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective destination switching node. At least one of the switching nodes has a plurality of buffers for buffering a corresponding plurality of message packets that it (that is, the at least one of the switching nodes) receives from another of said switching nodes during a message transfer operation, which ensures that deadlock does not occur during the message transfer operation.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A message packet transfer system comprising a plurality of switching nodes interconnected by communication links to define at least one cyclical packet transfer path having a predetermined diameter, the switching nodes transferring message packets each from a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective source switching node to a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective destination switching node, at least one of the switching nodes comprising:
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A. a number of buffers, the number being a function of the predetermined diameter; and B. an interface configured to receive message packets from at least one other of said switching nodes during a message transfer operation, buffer them in said buffers, and transfer ones of said message packets for which the at least one of said switching nodes is not the destination switching node to at least a second other of said switching nodes, thereby to ensure that deadlock does not occur during the message transfer operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A message packet transfer method for effecting the transfer of message packets in a system comprising a plurality of switching nodes interconnected by communication links to define at least one cyclical packet transfer path having a predetermined diameter, the switching nodes transferring message packets each from a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective source switching node to a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective destination switching node, the method comprising the steps of:
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A. establishing a number of buffers, the number being a function of the predetermined diameter; and B. receiving message packets from at least one other of said switching nodes during a message transfer operation, buffering the received message packets in said buffers, and transferring ones of said message packets for which the at least one of said switching nodes is not the destination switching node to at least a second other of said switching nodes, thereby to ensure that deadlock does not occur during the message transfer operation. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A message packet transfer computer program product for use in connection with a system comprising a plurality of switching nodes interconnected by communication links to define at least one cyclical packet transfer path having a predetermined diameter, the switching nodes transferring message packets each from a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective source switching node to a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective destination switching node, at least one of the switching nodes including a computer, the message packet transfer computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium including:
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A. a buffer establishment module configured to enable said computer to establish a number of buffers, the number being a function of the predetermined diameter and B. an interface module configured to enable said computer to buffer a corresponding plurality of message packets received by said computer from at least one other of said switching nodes during a message transfer operation, thereby to ensure that deadlock does not occur during the message transfer operation. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A switching node for use in a message packet transfer system comprising a plurality of other switching nodes interconnected by communication links to define at least one cyclical packet transfer path having a predetermined diameter, the switching nodes transferring message packets each from a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective source switching node to a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective destination switching node, the switching node comprising:
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A. a number of buffers, the number being a function of the predetermined diameter; and B. an interface configured receive message packets from at least one other of said switching nodes during a message transfer operation, buffer them in said buffers, and transfer ones of said message packets for which the switching node is not the destination switching node to at least a second other of said switching nodes, thereby to ensure that deadlock does not occur during the message transfer operation.
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28. A switching node for use in a message packet transfer system comprising a plurality of other switching nodes interconnected by communication links to define at least one cyclical packet transfer path having a predetermined diameter, the switching nodes transferring message packets each from a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective source switching node to a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective destination switching node, the switching node comprising:
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A. a computer; and B. a control subsystem for controlling the computer, the control subsystem comprising; i. a buffer establishment module configured to enable the computer to establish a number of buffers, the number being a function of the predetermined diameter; and ii. an interface module configured so enable the computer to receive message packets from at least one other of said switching nodes during a message transfer operation, buffer them in said buffers, and transfer ones of said message packets for which the switching node is not the destination switching node to at least a second other of said switching nodes, thereby to ensure that deadlock does not occur during the message transfer operation.
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29. A control subsystem for controlling a computer in a switching node, the switching node comprising one of a plurality of switching nodes interconnected by communication links in a message packet transfer system, the communication links interconnecting the switching nodes to define at least one cyclical packet transfer path having a predetermined diameter, the switching nodes transferring message packets each from a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective source switching node to a respective one of the switching nodes as a respective destination switching node, the control subsystem comprising:
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A. a buffer establishment module configured to enable the computer to establish a number of buffers, the number being a function of the predetermined diameter; and B. an interface module configured so enable the computer to receive message packets from at least one other of said switching nodes during a message transfer operation, buffer them in said buffers, and transfer ones of said message packets for which the switching node is not the destination switching node to at least a second other of said switching nodes, thereby to ensure that deadlock does not occur during the message transfer operation.
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30. A system for distributing code stored on a computer readable medium and executable by a computer, the code including a plurality of modules each configured to control the computer, the code comprising:
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A. a buffer establishment module configured to enable said computer to establish a number of buffers, the number being a function of the predetermined diameter; and B. an interface module configured to enable said computer to buffer a corresponding plurality of message packets received by said computer from at least one other of said switching nodes during a message transfer operation, thereby to ensure that deadlock does not occur during the message transfer operation.
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Specification