Patent ID: 6356938
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A process for improving the transfer of data between computers in a multi-processor system via a shared memory, comprising the steps of:providing a provider computer and a consumer computer, each having a local memory and each linked to said shared memory; selecting data stored in the local memory of said provider computer for transfer from the local memory of said provider computer to the shared memory; mapping a portion of said shared memory having a known address for the storage of said data; communicating the address of the mapped portion to said consumer computer prior to transferring said data; transmitting a first signal to said provider computer that said consumer computer is ready to receive and extract data from said shared memory; transferring said selected data from said local memory of said provider computer to said known address in said shared memory after said provider computer receives said first signal; transmitting a second signal from said provider computer to said consumer computer that said selected data is available in said mapped portion for extraction by said consumer computer; accessing said selected data in said shared memory at said particular address of said mapped portion of the shared memory with said consumer computer after receipt of said second signal from said provider computer and extracting said selected data from said shared memory and transferring it into the local memory of said consumer computer; and transmitting a third signal from said consumer computer to said provider computer that said selected data has been extracted.