Omnicluster Technologies Inc.

Chester A Heath

Robin Lynn Callender

Dennis Jay McBride

Vincent C Wu

Gregg J McKnight

A presently disclosed network oriented multiprocessing system, concentrated into a small space, uses a LAN (local area network) emulation protocol to transmit data packets directly between processing subsystems of the system via a bus connecting the processing subsystems. The processing subsystems and bus thereby constitute components of a virtual LAN defined by the LAN emulation protocol. The system also contains a storage subsystem which is connected to the same bus and is not a part of the virtual LAN. The spatial concentration of the system allows the bus to be operated at a speed sufficient to enable the processing subsystems to share access to the storage subsystem via the bus for retrieving stored information immediately relevant to program processes being executed in respective processing subsystems. Signal processes on said bus representing transfers relative to said virtual LAN are distinctly different from signal processes on the bus that are used to transfer information between said storage and processing subsystems. The virtual LAN defined by the LAN emulation protocol contains a virtual port for each processing subsystem currently active in the virtual LAN. This virtual port construct serves to maintain compatibility between software applications which define the LAN protocol and operating system software which supports both the LAN applications and other applications. The LAN emulation protocol permits each processing subsystem to independently initiate a failure communication to the other processing subsystems as well as to independently remove itself from and re-insert itself into the virtual LAN. It also permits any processing subsystem to conduct a &ldquo;broadcast&rdquo; data packet transfer to all other processing subsystems.

Peer networking in concentrated computer clusters

In concentrated multiprocessor systems conforming to the presently disclosed modular architecture, a host processor and plural client processors are packaged in a single box containing a high speed (short length) bus connecting all of the processors, and data storage resources via the bus. The bus may be of a type commonly used in contemporary single computer systems; e.g. one conforming to PCI specifications. The host processor and associated resources are mounted directly on an integrated circuit motherboard containing the bus and card connectors attached to the bus. The card connectors removably receive integrated circuit cards containing individual client processors. In one embodiment, client processors are configured to be used as workstations or PC's&mdash;in a residence, office or small factory environment&mdash;relative to users and accessories remote from the system enclosure. In another embodiment, host and client processors are configured to operate as servers between the system and multiple data networks external to the system; the host and client subsystems thereby constituting a server &ldquo;farm&rdquo;.

Growing community of inventors

Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

Chester A Heath