Masterless building block binding to partitions using identifiers and indicators

Abstract

A masterless approach binds multiprocessor building blocks to partitions of a computer system using identifiers and indicators. A number of building blocks communicate among each other to determine a partition to which each building block is to be partitioned. For each unique partition to which one or more of the building blocks is to be partitioned, the building blocks communicate among each other to determine building block uniqueness, and then each of the building blocks joins the partition. The building blocks share with one another their logical port identifiers, which uniquely identify the building block within a partition. A commit indicator of each building block indicates that the building block has committed itself to the partition and that its identifiers cannot be changed. A partition protect indicator is set by one building block of a partition, preventing changes to the commit indicators of other building blocks wishing to join the partition except by that one building block, effectively protecting the partition. Building block protect indicators protect the building blocks themselves.