Link and discovery protocols for a ring interconnect architecture

Claim 2

In a system including a first node coupled to a second node by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, the second node having addressable locations, a method for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from a source location starting at a starting address at the second node to the first node, comprising the steps of: using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a first type from the first node to the second node, the packet of the first type comprising a command symbol encoded to designate a first predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the starting address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; at the second node, responding to the receipt of the first predetermined command by retrieving the variably determined quantity of data from the source location; and using the point to point packet-based communication system to send one or more packets of a second type from the second node to the first node, each of the one or more packets of the second type comprising a subset of the retrieved data.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein the packet of the first type further includes a data port identifier allocated by the first node for identifying the transaction, and wherein each of the one or more packets of the second type further comprises the data port identifier.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2, wherein: each of the one or more packets of the second type has a head symbol including a plurality of HOP fields; and the data port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of each of the one or more packets of the second type.

Claim 5

The method of claim 2, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein further the first node causes the second node to terminate the one or more packets of the second type by using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a third type from the first node to the second node, the packet of the third type comprising the allocated data port identifier and a command symbol encoded to designate a second predetermined command.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein further the first node causes the second node to terminate the one or more packets of the second type by using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a third type from the first node to the second node, the packet of the third type comprising a command symbol encoded to designate a second predetermined command.

Claim 7

In a system including a first node coupled to a second node by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, the second node having addressable locations, a method for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from the first node to a target location starting at a starting address at the second node, comprising the steps of: using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a first type from the first node to the second node, the packet of the first type comprising a command symbol encoded to designate a predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the starting address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; at the second node, responding to the receipt of the predetermined command by allocating a data port identifier for identifying the transaction, and using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a second type from the second node to the first node, the packet of the second type comprising the allocated data port identifier; at the first node, responding to receipt of the packet of the second type by using the point to point packet-based communication system to send one or more packets of a third type from the first node to the second node, each of the one or more packets of the third type comprising the allocated data port identifier and a subset of the variably determined quantity of data; and at the second node, responding to receipt of the one or more packets of the third type by storing, to the target location, the variably determined quantity of data contained therein.

Claim 8

In a system including a first node coupled to a second node by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, the second node having addressable locations, a method for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from the first node to a target location starting at a starting address at the second node, comprising the steps of: using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a first type from the first node to the second node, the packet of the first type comprising a command symbol encoded to designate a predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the starting address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; at the second node, responding to the receipt of the predetermined command by allocating a data port identifier for identifying the transaction, and using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a second type from the second node to the first node, the packet of the second type comprising the allocated data port identifier; at the first node, responding to receipt of the packet of the second type by using the point to point packet-based communication system to send one or more packets of a third type from the first node to the second node, each of the one or more packets of the third type comprising the allocated data port identifier and a subset of the variably determined quantity of data; and at the second node, responding to receipt of the one or more packets of the third type by storing, to the target location, the variably determined quantity of data contained therein.

Claim 9

The method of claim 6, wherein the packets of the first and second type each further comprises a response port identifier allocated by the first node for the transaction.

Claim 10

The method of claim 7, wherein: each of the packets of the second and third types comprises a head symbol including HOP fields; the response port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of the packet of the second type; and the allocated data port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of each of the one or more packets of the third type.

Claim 11

The method of claim 6, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein further the second node, after storing received data at a last address of the target location, stores additional data contained in the one or more packets of the third type to the target location beginning at a first address of the target location.

Claim 12

In a system including a first node, a second node and a third node, each of the first, second and third nodes coupled to each other of the first, second and third nodes by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, each of the second and third nodes having addressable locations, a method for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from a source location starting at a first address at the second node to a target location starting at a second address at the third node, comprising the steps of: using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a first type from the first node to the third node, the packet of the first type comprising a command symbol encoded to designate a first predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the second address at the third node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate a quantity of third node data units corresponding to the variably determined quantity; at the third node, responding to the receipt of the first predetermined command by allocating a data port identifier for identifying the transaction, and using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a second type from the third node to the first node, the packet of the second type comprising the allocated data port identifier; at the first node, responding to receipt of the packet of the second type by using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a third type from the first node to the second node, the packet of the third type comprising a command symbol encoded to designate a second predetermined command, a data symbol encoded to provide information for routing a packet from the second node to the third node, the allocated data port identifier, an address symbol encoded to designate the first address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; at the second node, responding to receipt of the second predetermined command by retrieving the variably determined quantity of data from the source location and using the point to point packet-based communication system to send one or more packets of a fourth type from the second node to the third node, each of the one or more packets of the fourth type comprising the allocated data port identifier and a subset of the retrieved variably determined quantity of data; and at the third node, responding to receipt of the one or more packets of the fourth type by storing, to the target location, the variably determined quantity of data contained therein.

Claim 13

In a system including a first node, a second node and a third node, each of the first, second and third nodes coupled to each other of the first, second and third nodes by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, each of the second and third nodes having addressable locations, a method for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from a source location starting at a first address at the second node to a target location starting at a second address at the third node, comprising the steps of: using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a first type from the first node to the third node, the packet of the first type comprising a command symbol encoded to designate a first predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the second address at the third node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate a quantity of third node data units corresponding to the variably determined quantity; at the third node, responding to the receipt of the first predetermined command by allocating a data port identifier for identifying the transaction, and using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a second type from the third node to the first node, the packet of the second type comprising the allocated data port identifier; at the first node, responding to receipt of the packet of the second type by using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a third type from the first node to the second node, the packet of the third type comprising a command symbol encoded to designate a second predetermined command, a data symbol encoded to provide information for routing a packet from the second node to the third node, the allocated data port identifier, an address symbol encoded to designate the first address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; at the second node, responding to receipt of the second predetermined command by retrieving the variably determined quantity of data from the source location and using the point to point packet-based communication system to send one or more packets of a fourth type from the second node to the third node, each of the one or more packets of the fourth type comprising the allocated data port identifier and a subset of the retrieved variably determined quantity of data; and at the third node, responding to receipt of the one or more packets of the fourth type by storing, to the target location, the variably determined quantity of data contained therein.

Claim 14

The method of claim 10, wherein each of the packets of the first and second type further comprises a response port identifier allocated by the first node for the transaction.

Claim 15

The method of claim 11, wherein: each of the packets of the second and fourth types comprises a head symbol including HOP fields; the response port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of the packet of the second type; and the allocated dam port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of the one or more packets of the fourth type.

Claim 16

The method of claim 10, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein further the third node, after storing received data at a last address of the target location, begins storing additional data contained in the one or more packets of the fourth type at a first address of the target location.

Claim 17

The method of claim 10, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein the packet of the third type further comprises a response port identifier that is allocated by the first node, and wherein further the first node causes the second node to terminate the one or more packets of the fourth type by using the point to point packet-based communication system to send a packet of a fifth type from the first node to the second node, the packet of the fifth type comprising the allocated response port identifier and a command symbol encoded to designate a third predetermined command.

Claim 18

In a system including a first node coupled to a second node by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, the second node having addressable locations, an apparatus for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from a source location starting at a starting address at the second node to the first node, comprising: instigator means located at the first node, the instigator means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; and first packet generating means, coupled to the output means, for generating a packet of a first type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the first type from the first node to the second node, a command symbol encoded to designate a predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the starting address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; and partner means located at the second node, the partner means comprising: output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; retrieving means, responsive to receipt of the packet of the first type, for retrieving the variably determined quantity of data from the source location; and second packet generating means, coupled to the input means, to the retrieving means and to the output means, for generating one or more packets of a second type, each comprising a head symbol for routing the one or more packets of the second type from the second node to the first node.

Claim 19

In a system including a first node coupled to a second node by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, the second node having addressable locations, an apparatus for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from a source location starting at a starting address at the second node to the first node, comprising: instigator means located at the first node, the instigator means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; and first packet generating means, coupled to the output means, for generating a packet of a first type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the first type from the first node to the second node, a command symbol encoded to designate a predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the starting address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; and partner means located at the second node, the partner means comprising: output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; retrieving means, responsive to receipt of the packet of the first type, for retrieving the variably determined quantity of data from the source location; and second packet generating means, coupled to the input means, to the retrieving means and to the output means, for generating one or more packets of a second type, each comprising a head symbol for routing the one or more packets of the second type from the second node to the first node.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: the instigator means further comprises allocating means, coupled to the first packet generating means, for allocating a data port identifier for identifying the transaction, and wherein the first packet generating means generates a packet of the first type which further includes the allocated data port identifier, and wherein each of the one or more packets of the second type further comprises the data port identifier.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: each of the one or more packets of the second type includes a plurality of HOP fields; and the data port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of the one or more packets of the second type.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein further the instigator means further comprises stream termination packet generating means, coupled to the output means, for generating a stream termination packet comprising a head symbol for routing the stream termination packet from the first node to the second node, the allocated data port identifier and a command symbol encoded to designate a stream termination command, and wherein further the second packet generating means terminates the one or more packets of the second type in response to receiving a stream termination packet.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein further the instigator means further comprises stream termination packet generating means, coupled to the output means, for generating a stream termination packet comprising a head symbol for routing the stream termination packet from the first node to the second node, and a command symbol encoded to designate a stream termination command.

Claim 24

In a system including a first node coupled to a second node by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, the second node having addressable locations, an apparatus for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from the first node to a target location starting at a starting address at the second node, comprising: instigator means located at the first node, the instigator means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; first packet generating means, coupled to the output means, for generating a packet of a first type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the first type from the first node to the second node, a command symbol encoded to designate a predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the starting address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; and third packet generating means, coupled to the input means and to the output means, and responsive to receipt of a packet of a second type for generating one or more packets of a third type, each of the one or more packets of the third type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the third type from the first node to the second node, an allocated data port identifier received in a packet of the second type, and a subset of the variably determined quantity of data; and partner means located at the second node, the partner means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; second packet generating means, coupled to the input means and to the output means, the second packet generating means being responsive to receipt of the packet of the first type for allocating the data port identifier for identifying the transaction, and generating the packet of the second type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the second type from the second node to the first node, and the allocated data port identifier; and storing means, coupled to the input means, and responsive to receipt of the one or more packets of the third type for storing, to the target location, the variably determined quantity of data contained therein.

Claim 25

In a system including a first node coupled to a second node by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, the second node having addressable locations, an apparatus for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from the first node to a target location starting at a starting address at the second node, comprising: instigator means located at the first node, the instigator means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; first packet generating means, coupled to the output means, for generating a packet of a first type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the first type from the first node to the second node, a command symbol encoded to designate a predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the starting address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; and third packet generating means, coupled to the input means and to the output means, and responsive to receipt of a packet of a second type for generating one or more packets of a third type, each of the one or more packets of the third type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the third type from the first node to the second node, an allocated data port identifier received in a packet of the second type, and a subset of the variably determined quantity of data; and partner means located at the second node, the partner means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; second packet generating means, coupled to the input means and to the output means, the second packet generating means being responsive to receipt of the packet of the first type for allocating the data port identifier for identifying the transaction, and generating the packet of the second type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the second type from the second node to the first node, and the allocated data port identifier; and storing means, coupled to the input means, and responsive to receipt of the one or more packets of the third type for storing, to the target location, the variably determined quantity of data contained therein.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the instigator means further comprises allocating means, coupled to the first packet generating means, for allocating a response port identifier for identifying the transaction, and wherein the first packet generating means generates a packet of the first type which further includes the allocated response port identifier, and wherein the packet of the second type further comprises the allocated response port identifier.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: the head symbol of each of the packets of the second and third types includes a plurality of HOP fields; the response port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of the packet of the second type; and the allocated data port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of each of the one or more third packets.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein further the storing means, after storing received data at a last address of the target location, stores additional data contained in the one or more packets of the third type to the target location beginning at a first address of the target location.

Claim 29

In a system including a first node, a second node and a third node, each of the first, second and third nodes coupled to each other of the first, second and third nodes by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, each of the second and third nodes having addressable locations, an apparatus for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from a source location starting at a first address at the second node to a target location starting at a second address at the third node, comprising: instigator means located at the first node, the instigator means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; first packet generating means, coupled to the output means, for generating a packet of a first type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the first type from the first node to the third node, a command symbol encoded to designate a predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the second address at the third node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate a quantity of third node data units corresponding to the variably determined quantity; and third packet generating means, coupled to the input means and to the output means, and responsive to receipt of a packet of a second type for generating a packet of a third type, the packet of the third type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the third type from the first node to the second node, a command symbol encoded to designate a second predetermined command, a data symbol encoded to provide information for routing a packet from the second node to the third node, an allocated data port identifier received in the packet of the second type, an address symbol encoded to designate the first address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; target partner means located at the third node, the target partner means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; second packet generating means, coupled to the input means and to the output means, the second packet generating means being responsive to receipt of the packet of the first type for allocating the data port identifier for identifying the transaction, and generating the packet of the second type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the second type from the third node to the first node, and the allocated data port identifier; and storing means, coupled to the input means, and responsive to receipt of one or more packets of a fourth type for storing, to the target location, the variably determined quantity of data contained therein; and source partner means located at the second node, the source partner means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; retrieving means coupled to the input means and responsive to receipt of the packet of the third type, for retrieving the variably determined quantity of data from the source location; and fourth packet generating means, coupled to the input means, to the retrieving means and to the output means, for generating the one or more packets of the fourth type, each of the one or more packets of the fourth type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the fourth type from the second node to the third node, the allocated data port identifier and a subset of the retrieved variably determined quantity of data.

Claim 30

In a system including a first node, a second node and a third node, each of the first, second and third nodes coupled to each other of the first, second and third nodes by means of a point to point packet-based communication system, each of the second and third nodes having addressable locations, an apparatus for transferring, as a transaction, a variably determined quantity of data from a source location starting at a first address at the second node to a target location starting at a second address at the third node, comprising: instigator means located at the first node, the instigator means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; first packet generating means, coupled to the output means, for generating a packet of a first type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the first type from the first node to the third node, a command symbol encoded to designate a predetermined command, an address symbol encoded to designate the second address at the third node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate a quantity of third node data units corresponding to the variably determined quantity; and third packet generating means, coupled to the input means and to the output means, and responsive to receipt of a packet of a second type for generating a packet of a third type, the packet of the third type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the third type from the first node to the second node, a command symbol encoded to designate a second predetermined command, a data symbol encoded to provide information for routing a packet from the second node to the third node, an allocated data port identifier received in the packet of the second type, an address symbol encoded to designate the first address at the second node, and a buffer length symbol encoded to designate the variably determined quantity; target partner means located at the third node, the target partner means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; second packet generating means, coupled to the input means and to the output means, the second packet generating means being responsive to receipt of the packet of the first type for allocating the data port identifier for identifying the transaction, and generating the packet of the second type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the second type from the third node to the first node, and the allocated data port identifier; and storing means, coupled to the input means, and responsive to receipt of one or more packets of a fourth type for storing, to the target location, the variably determined quantity of data contained therein; and source partner means located at the second node, the source partner means comprising: input means for connection to a receive port of a data stream controller interface; output means for connection to a transmit port of a data stream controller interface; retrieving means coupled to the input means and responsive to receipt of the packet of the third type, for retrieving the variably determined quantity of data from the source location; and fourth packet generating means, coupled to the input means, to the retrieving means and to the output means, for generating the one or more packets of the fourth type, each of the one or more packets of the fourth type comprising a head symbol for routing the packet of the fourth type from the second node to the third node, the allocated data port identifier and a subset of the retrieved variably determined quantity of data.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the instigator means further comprises allocating means, coupled to the first packet generating means, for allocating a response port identifier for identifying, the transaction, and wherein the first packet generating means generates a packet of the first type which further includes the allocated response port identifier, and wherein the packet of the second type further comprises the response port identifier.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 25, wherein: the head symbol of each of the packets of the second and fourth types includes HOP fields; the response port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of the packet of the second type; and the allocated data port identifier is located in a predetermined portion of an area comprising unused HOP fields within the head symbol of each of the one or more packets of the fourth type.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein further the storing means, after storing received data at a last address of the target location, stores additional data contained in the one or more packets of the fourth type to the target location beginning at a first address of the target location.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the variably determined quantity of data is an ongoing stream, and wherein further the instigator means further comprises stream termination packet generating means, coupled to the output means, for generating a stream termination packet comprising a routing symbol for routing the stream termination packet from the first node to the second node, and a command symbol encoded to designate a stream termination command, and wherein further the fourth packet generating means terminates the one or more packets of the fourth type in response to receiving the stream termination packet.