Patent ID: 7536468
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A protocol interface method for interfacing an active message protocol and a client process in a computing environment, the method comprising: providing an interface to a header handler function associated with the client process, the interface comprising parameters to be passed from the active message protocol to the header handler function when processing a message received through the active message protocol and a parameter to be returned to the active message protocol from the header handler function in response thereto; the parameters to be passed comprising current message state information and current message type information for the message, the current message state information and the current message type information facilitating message-specific decisions by the header handler function about processing data of the message by the active message protocol; the parameter to be returned, when received by the active message protocol, instructing the active message protocol on processing the message, the processing of the message being other than just storing the message; wherein the instructing comprises instructing the active message protocol how to scatter the data of the message into non-contiguous buffers, the non-contiguous buffers being accessible to the client process, wherein the client process tailors functioning of the active message protocol for this message through the parameter returned from the header handler function to the active message protocol, which specifies how to scatter the date into non-contiguous buffers; and wherein the method further comprises providing an interface to a completion handler function associated with the client process, and wherein the interface to the header handler function further comprises a completion handler execution flag to be returned by the header handler function to the active message protocol, the completion handler execution flag instructing the active message protocol to execute the completion handler function in a thread of the active message protocol after the active message protocol receives data associated the message, wherein the thread received a last packet of the message.