摘要:
Method and apparatus for transfer of packet-type information from the memory (24B) of one node (14) in a computer network to the memory (24C) of another node (16) in the network. The invention is of particular utility in transfers over serial buses (e.g., 18). Packets are sent from a named memory buffer (25A) at a first node (14) to a named memory buffer (25C) at a second node (16), allowing random access by the first node to the memory of the second node without either node having to have knowledge of the memory structure of the other; the source and destination buffer names are contained right in the transmitted packet. The first node (14) can both write to and read from the second node (16). An opcode (40A) sent in each packet signifies whether a read or write operation is to be performed. For reading from the second node, the opcode actually causes the second node to write back to the first node; in this situation, the second node to write back to the first node; in this situation, che second node, upon detecting the appropriate opcode, places the remainder of the received packet on a command queue (202), to be excuted with the commands locally generated at the second node, without need for host interruption.
摘要:
The invention relates to a device adapted to be connected to a non-pended bus, a circuit of this device for providing communications interface for that device to the non-pended bus, and a process by which this device arbitrates an access to a bus. The interconnecting circuit comprises controller means (300) coupled to a no arbitration and busy lines of the bus for indicating an arbitration cycle, driver means (334) coupled to the controller means for asserting one or two data lines of the bus corresponding to the device during the arbitration, priority resolution means (380) coupled to the data lines to indicate that the device has the highest priority during the arbitration cycle, receive register means (304) coupled to information lines of the bus for comparing the ID number of the device with the ID number of the device, and switching means (308) connected to receive register and to driver means for asserting low or high priority data line to the device during the arbitration cycle.
摘要:
A bus structure for use in a computer network requiring high availability and reliability of communications. Multiple bus paths (2A, 2B) are provided. When a transmission is to be made, under most circumstances the path is selected at random, with all paths being equally probable. Thus, failure of a path is detected quickly. Each host device in the network connects to the bus paths through an interface, or port (1). The task of path selection is carried out by the ports, independently of the host devices. The ports also detect path failures and automatically switch over to an alternate good path upon detection of such a failure, all without host involvement. Virtual circuit communications between hosts are transparent to path selection and switching, so the only indication to a host device of a path failure is a decrease in throughput. Most of the signal processing apparatus of each port (10, 20A, 20B) is shared by the paths, only one path being supported at any given time. Thus, the addition of a second bus path involves only minimal cost.
摘要:
A bus structure for use in a computer network requiring high availability and reliability of communications. Multiple bus paths (2A, 2B) are provided. When a transmission is to be made, under most circumstances the path is selected at random, with all paths being equally probable. Thus, failure of a path is detected quickly. Each host device in the network connects to the bus paths through an interface, or port (1). The task of path selection is carried out by the ports, independently of the host devices. The ports also detect path failures and automatically switch over to an alternate good path upon detection of such a failure, all without host involvement. Virtual circuit communications between hosts are transparent to path selection and switching, so the only indication to a host device of a path failure is a decrease in throughput. Most of the signal processing apparatus of each port (10, 20A, 20B) is shared by the paths, only one path being supported at any given time. Thus, the addition of a second bus path involves only minimal cost.
摘要:
The invention relates to a device adapted to be connected to a non-pended bus, a circuit of this device for providing communications interface for that device to the non-pended bus, and a process by which this device arbitrates an access to a bus. The interconnecting circuit comprises controller means (300) coupled to a no arbitration and busy lines of the bus for indicating an arbitration cycle, driver means (334) coupled to the controller means for asserting one or two data lines of the bus corresponding to the device during the arbitration, priority resolution means (380) coupled to the data lines to indicate that the device has the highest priority during the arbitration cycle, receive register means (304) coupled to information lines of the bus for comparing the ID number of the device with the ID number of the device, and switching means (308) connected to receive register and to driver means for asserting low or high priority data line to the device during the arbitration cycle.
摘要:
In a data.processing system in which a plurality of data processing units, as well as the main memory unit, are coupled to a system bus, the utilization of the system bus is Increased to such an extent that each of a plurality of cache memory units coupled to the system bus can have a plurality of data processing units associated therewith. The system bus utilization is increased by dividing the system bus access operation into a plurality of sub-operations and by providing a defined cyclic sequence for the cache memory units to have access to the system bus.
摘要:
Devices for interconnection into a digital computer system contain arbitration mechanisms for assigning control of a common communications path among the devices. Several modes of device arbitration are provided for, and the modes may be mixed among devices, and changed during operation of the system, in the system without interfering with communications. The arbitration mechanism requires only a single additional line in the communications pathway, and thus a single additional pin on the integrated circuit on which it is implemented, for the arbitration function. It thus facilitates implementation of the arbitration mechanism along with all other interconnect logic on a single integrated circuit.
摘要:
Method and apparatus for transfer of packet-type information from the memory (24B) of one node (14) in a computer network to the memory (24C) of another node (16) in the network. The invention is of particular utility in transfers over serial buses (e.g., 18). Packets are sent from a named memory buffer (25A) at a first node (14) to a named memory buffer (25C) at a second node (16), allowing random access by the first node to the memory of the second node without either node having to have knowledge of the memory structure of the other; the source and destination buffer names are contained right in the transmitted packet. The first node (14) can both write to and read from the second node (16). An opcode (40A) sent in each packet signifies whether a read or write operation is to be performed. For reading from the second node, the opcode actually causes the second node to write back to the first node; in this situation, the second node to write back to the first node; in this situation, che second node, upon detecting the appropriate opcode, places the remainder of the received packet on a command queue (202), to be excuted with the commands locally generated at the second node, without need for host interruption.