Patent ID: 6385657
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A computer system comprising:a first module configured to initiate a read chain transaction comprising a plurality of frames by transmitting an initial frame of the plurality of frames on a first ring to which the first module is coupled, the initial frame including a target address identifying a second module and a return address field, the return address field storing a first return address identifying said first module on the first ring; one or more bridge modules, wherein a first bridge module of the one or more bridge modules is coupled to the first ring and is configured to forward the initial frame on a second ring to which the first bridge module is coupled responsive to the target address, and wherein the first bridge module is coupled to receive remaining frames or the plurality of frames from the second ring, wherein each of the remaining frames includes a control field, wherein a first encoding in the control field is predefined to indicate that the remaining frames are part of a chain transaction, and wherein the first bridge module is configured to forward the remaining frames on the first ring responsive to a second return address in the return address fields of the remaining frames identifying the first bridge module on the second ring and further responsive to the control fields of the remaining frames having the first encoding, and wherein the first bridge module is further configured to retransmit, on the second ring, a second frame received on the second ring during the read chain transaction responsive to the second frame including a different return address from the second return address and further responsive to the control field of the second frame including the first encoding, the first bridge module configured to retransmit the second frame on the second ring even if the second frame is to be forwarded on the first ring; and the second module, coupled to the one or more bridge modules to receive the initial frame and to responsively transmit the remaining frames.