摘要:
A multi-node data processing system implements a method that assures that plural messages are enabled "fair" access to a data stream. Each node includes apparatus for controlling message transmissions and/or receptions from another node over a communication network. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting a routing message from a first destination node to a source node, the routing message signalling a readiness of the destination node to receive a data message; transmitting a first data message to the first destination node from the source node in response to the ready message; transmitting a conditional disconnect message from the first destination node to the source node upon receipt of a predetermined amount (i.e. a "slice") of the first data message. The source node responds to the conditional disconnect message by either (1) disconnecting from the first destination node, and commencing transmission of a slice of a second data message to a second destination node if during transmission of the slice of the first data message, the source node has received a ready message from the second destination node; or (2) continuing transmission of the data message to the first destination node until message end or, following the procedure in (1) if a new ready message is received by the source node from a further destination node, whichever occurs first.