Patent ID: 7283485
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A communications system, comprising: a) a first node; b) a plurality of second nodes; c) the first node being connected to the plurality of second nodes for controlling operation of the second nodes; d) the plurality of second nodes being physically interconnected in a topology; e) the plurality of second nodes being arranged in one or more logical interconnects having a topology which is distinct from the topology of the physical interconnection; f) each second node including means for identifying a corresponding logical successor node and a logical predecessor node; g) each second node including means for sending status messages to its logical successor node, and means for monitoring the status messages received from its logical predecessor node for determining a status thereof; and h) each second node including application data, and means for exchanging the application data with its logical successor node in the form of application messages in which at least some of the application messages function as status messages.