Protocol for identifying components in a point-to-point computer system

Abstract

A system and method of mapping a network topology in a network including a plurality of nodes which communicate over dedicated links which connect pairs of the nodes, where the method consists of the steps of exchanging respective network identification information between adjacent pairs of nodes, establishing communications with another of the nodes using the network identification information, obtaining network identification information of the other node from that node, using the network identification information to establish communications with other nodes, obtaining additional network identification information from those other nodes, repeating these steps until network identification information is obtained from all of the nodes of the network and using this information determine the network topology.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of mapping a network topology in a network wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes communicating over dedicated links connecting pairs of the nodes, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) exchanging, between said pairs of said nodes, respective network identification information;    (b) establishing communications with a neighboring one of said nodes using said network identification information;    (c) obtaining from said neighboring node, network identification information of others of said nodes;    (d) using said network identification information to establish communications with said others of said nodes;    (e) obtaining from said others of said nodes, network identification information of others of said nodes;    (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) until network identification information is obtained from all of said nodes of said network; and    (g) calculating said network topology.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising steps of storing network identification of immediately adjacent (neighboring) ones of said nodes in respective network identification registers.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said nodes include terminal nodes and switching nodes.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein said terminal nodes include processing cells.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3  wherein said switching nodes include a crossbar switching device.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein steps (d) and (e) are performed iteratively.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein steps (d) and (e) are performed recursively.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein one of said nodes stores said network topology calculated according to step (g).  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein said network information includes network address and device identification information.  
     
     
         10 . A data processing system comprising: 
 a plurality of terminal nodes having a communication port, each of said terminal nodes assigned a unique network identification and having a network identification register for storing neighbor device network identification information;    a plurality of switching nodes, each assigned a unique network identification and having at least two communications ports in respective communication with two of (i) others of said switching nodes and (ii) said terminal nodes, each of said switching nodes having respective network identification registers associated with said at least two communications ports;    logic circuitry configured to initiate an exchange of said network identification between connected ones of said terminal and switching nodes, each of said nodes storing in its respective network identification registers the network identification of adjacent ones of said nodes; and    a memory storing a topology of said data processing system based on said exchange of said network identification between said nodes.    
     
     
         11 . The data processing system according to  claim 10  wherein said plurality of terminal nodes include processing cells and said switching nodes include crossbar devices.  
     
     
         12 . The data processing system according to  claim 10  wherein said network information includes network address and device identification information.  
     
     
         13 . The data processing system according to  claim 10  wherein said logic circuitry operates recursively.  
     
     
         14 . The data processing system according to  claim 10  wherein said logic circuitry operate iteratively to determine a topology of said nodes.  
     
     
         15 . A data processing system comprising: 
 a plurality of terminal nodes having a communication port, each of said terminal nodes assigned a unique network identification and having a network identification register for storing neighbor device network identification information;    a plurality of switching nodes, each assigned a unique network identification and having at least two communications ports in respective communication with two of (i) others of said switching nodes and (ii) said terminal nodes, each of said switching nodes having respective network identification registers associated with said at least two communications ports;    means for initiating an exchange of said network identification between connected ones of said terminal and switching nodes, each of said nodes storing in its respective network identification registers the network identification of adjacent ones of said nodes; and    means for storing a topology of said data processing system based on said exchange of said network identification between said nodes.    
     
     
         16 . The data processing system according to  claim 15  wherein said plurality of terminal nodes include processing cells and said switching nodes include crossbar devices.  
     
     
         17 . The data processing system according to  claim 15  wherein said network information includes network address and device identification information.  
     
     
         18 . The data processing system according to  claim 15  wherein said logic circuitry operates recursively.  
     
     
         19 . The data processing system according to  claim 15  wherein said initiation means operates iteratively to determine a topology of said nodes.