Computing system framework with unified storage, processing, and network switching fabrics incorporating network switches and method for making and using the same

Abstract

A system and method for making and using a computing system framework with unified storage, processing, and network switching fabrics are provided. Processing nodes, either physical or virtual, are associated with intra-module ports, inter-module ports, and local storage spaces. A plurality of processing nodes are linked through intra-module ports to form processing modules. A plurality of the processing modules are connected through inter-module ports to form the computing system. Network switch can be incorporated into intra-module or inter-module connections. Several inter-module connection schemes, which can be adapted to use with existing network packet routing algorithms, are disclosed. Each processing node needs only to keep track of the states of its directly connected neighbors, obviating the need for a high-speed connection to the rest processing nodes within the system. Dedicated network switching equipment can be flexibly employed and network capacity grows naturally as processing nodes are added.