Report Number: CS-TR-87-1146
Institution: Stanford University, Department of Computer Science
Title: A Point-to-Point Multicast Communications Protocol
Author: Byrd, Gregory
Author: Nakano, Russell
Author: Delagi, Bruce
Date: February 1987
Abstract: Many network topologies have been proposed for connecting a large number of processor-memory pairs in a high-performance multiprocessor system. In terms of performance, however, the communications protocol decisions may be as crucial as topology. This paper describes a protocol to support point-to-point interprocessor communications with multicast. Dynamic, cut- through routing with local flow control is used to provide a high-throughput, low latency communications path between processors. In addition, multicast transmissions are available, in which copies of a packet are sent to multiple destinations using common resources as much as possible. Special packet terminators and selective buffering are introduced to avoid deadlock during multicasts. A simulated implementation of the protocol is also described.
http://i.stanford.edu/pub/cstr/reports/cs/tr/87/1146/CS-TR-87-1146.pdf