Patent ID: 7831779
Filing Date: 2010-11-09
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. In a multiple computer system including a multiplicity of computers, each interconnected via at least one communications network, and each of the multiplicity of computers executing a different portion of an application program written to execute only on a single computer, each of the multiplicity of computers having an independent local memory with at least one memory location being replicated in each said local memory of each said multiplicity of computers, a method for handing contention in replica memory updating in which a memory location having a specific location identifier and replicated on at least two computers, can be updated substantially simultaneously from a plurality of sources, said method of handling contention in replica memory updating comprising: (A) detecting a memory updating contention comprising: (B) resolving said detected memory updating contention, including: (C) broadcasting a memory updating signal or packet over a communications network interconnecting a plurality of computers, including: (i) utilizing said updating format for the signal or packet carrying out the updating, wherein said updating count comprises a resident updating count of the updating source and comprising a number indicative of the sequence of occasions on which the updating source has been updated inclusive of the current updating, and at least one resolution value of the updating source, each said resolution value comprising a unique value of the updating source; (D) consolidating data in addressed memory updating so that a memory location having a specific address or identifier can be updated substantially simultaneously from a plurality of sources, including: (E) ensuring correct operation of at least one finite counter each storing an updating count value including: (F) overcoming possible memory updating echoes where at least one memory location is replicated at different memories and substantially simultaneously memory updating is accomplished from a plurality of sources transmitting an updating message including the address of the location, the new content for the location, and an updating count indicative of the position of the updating message in a sequence of updating messages, said updating count being incremented by a predetermined number to indicate consecutive updating messages, and further including: