US4952930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multipath hierarchical network
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1988-11-18
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Granted: 1990-08-28
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Expires: 2008-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A hierarchy of multipath networks selectively provides connections between a plurality of sources and a plurality of destinations in a communications system. The hierarchy comprises a first multipath network without buffering which consists of two or more stages and constituting a fast path for connecting a source to a destination. At least a second multipath network with buffering and comprising a plurality of stages constitutes an alternate, slower path for connecting a source to a destination in the event that a connection between the source and the destination is blocked in the fast path. The address field of a message from a source is examined at each stage to select an appropriate connection to the next stage and, if the connection is available, the message, stripped of the address field, is propagated to the second stage, but if the next stage is blocked, the message is stopped and a negative acknowledgment is returned to the source. Retransmission of the message through the second network of the hierarchy is initiated upon the receipt of a negative acknowledgment at the source. The concept may be extended to multiple levels, with only the last stage providing buffering.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A. Franaszek
- 👤 Christos J. Georgiou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F15/163; G06F15/173; G06F15/17356; G06F15/17368; G06F15/17393; H; H04; H04L; H04L49/00; H04L49/25; H04L49/253; H04L49/10; H04L49/101; H04L49/15; H04L49/1515; H04L49/254
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A hierarchy of multipath networks for selectively interconnecting a plurality of sources and a plurality of destinations in a communication system comprising: a first multipath network without buffering and consisting of at least two stages and constituting a fast path for connecting a source to a destination; and at least a second multipath network with buffering and comprising a plurality of stages and constituting an alternate, slower path for connecting a source to a destination in the event that a connection between the source and the destination is blocked in said fast path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A hierarchy of multipath networks for selectively interconnecting a plurality of sources and a plurality of destinations in a communication system comprising: a first multipath network without buffering and consisting of at least two stages and constituting a fast path for connecting a source to a destination; and at least a second multipath network with buffering and comprising a plurality of stages and constituting an alternate, slower path for connecting a source to a destination in the event that a connection between the source and the destination is blocked in said fast path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hierarchy of multipath networks as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second multipath networks are delta networks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A hierarchy of multipath networks as recited in claim 1 wherein said second multipath network includes fetch-and-add means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
The hierarchy of multipath networks as recited in claim 1 further comprising at least a third, intermediate network interposed between said first and second multipath networks, said third network providing an alternate path for connecting said source and said destination in the event that a connection is blocked in said fast path, said second network providing an alternate, guaranteed connection in the event that a connection is blocked in said third network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The hierarchy of multipath networks as recited in claim 4 wherein said third network is a multipath network without buffering.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The hierarchy of multipath networks as recited in claim 5 wherein said first, second and third multipath networks are delta networks.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of selectively interconnecting a plurality of sources with a plurality of destinations in a communication network comprising the steps of: providing a first multipath network without buffering consisting of at least two stages and constituting a fast path for connecting a source to a destination; examining an address field of a message from a source at each of said stages to select an appropriate connection to a succeeding stage in said network and, if the connection is available, propagating the message without the address field to a succeeding stage, but if the succeeding stage is blocked, stopping message propagation and returning a negative acknowledgment to the source; providing at least a second multipath network with buffering comprising a plurality of stages and constituting an alternate, slower path for connecting a source to a destination in the event that a connection between the source and the destination is blocked in said fast path; and initiating retransmission of the message through said second network of the hierarchy upon the receipt of a negative acknowledgment at the source.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
177 words
A method of selectively interconnecting a plurality of sources with a plurality of destinations in a communication network comprising the steps of: providing a first multipath network without buffering consisting of at least two stages and constituting a fast path for connecting a source to a destination; examining an address field of a message from a source at each of said stages to select an appropriate connection to a succeeding stage in said network and, if the connection is available, propagating the message without the address field to a succeeding stage, but if the succeeding stage is blocked, stopping message propagation and returning a negative acknowledgment to the source; providing at least a second multipath network with buffering comprising a plurality of stages and constituting an alternate, slower path for connecting a source to a destination in the event that a connection between the source and the destination is blocked in said fast path; and initiating retransmission of the message through said second network of the hierarchy upon the receipt of a negative acknowledgment at the source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein the first and second multipath networks are delta networks.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method according to claim 7 further comprising the steps of: providing a third, intermediate multipath network without buffering interposed between said first and second multipath networks; attempting a connection between said source and said destination using said third multipath network in the event that a connection is blocked in said first multipath network; and performing said step of initiating in the event that a connection is blocked in said third multipath network, said second multipath network providing a guaranteed connection in the event that a connection is blocked in said third multipath network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein the first, second and third multipath networks are delta networks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-27 | 1994-02-26 | 1994-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-27 | 1998-02-26 | 1998-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-27 | 2002-02-26 | 2002-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |