Distribution of messages with guaranteed or synchronized time of delivery

Abstract

Various embodiments of apparatuses and methods for multi-cast, multiple unicast, and unicast distribution of messages with time synchronized delivery are described. In some embodiments, the disclosed system and methods include a reference timekeeper providing a reference clock to one or more host computing devices. The one or more host computing devices host compute instances, and also contain respective isolated timing hardware outside the control of the compute instances. The isolated timing hardware of the one or more host computing devices then receive respective packets, and obtain the same time to deliver the respective packets. Each isolated timing hardware provides either the packet, or information to access the packet, to its respective destination compute instance subsequent to determining that the same specified time to deliver the packet has occurred. Thus, the respective packets are delivered near simultaneously to the one or more destination compute instances.