Patent ID: RE41293

Claim:
A multiprocessor computer having hardware domains variable variably configurable by commands from an operator, said computer comprising: a plurality of separate system units for performing sequences of transactions, each said system unit being individually physically removable and replaceable within said computer, and each including at least one of: a processor unit for generating addresses within a predetermined global range . , a memory unit for storing data at a set of addresses within said predetermined global range, and an input/output adapter for generating and/or receiving a set of addresses within said predetermined global range : ; a global address router coupled to said system units for transferring addresses generated in any of said system units to others of said system units; a global data router for transferring data from any of said system units to others of said system units : ; a control-signal distributor for communicating a plurality of control signals from any of said system units to others of said system units for affecting the operation of all of said system units in response to conditions occurring in said any system unit : ; a domain configurator for electronically dividing said computer into a plurality of software-configurable hardware domains each comprising an arbitrary subset of said system units independently of any physical reconnection of said system units within said computer : ; a computer controller responsive to said commands for specifying to said domain configurator which of said system units belong to each of said hardware domains : ; a domain filter coupled to all of said system units for electronically inhibiting at least some of said control signals originating in those of said system units within one of said domains from affecting certain of said system units outside said one domain, wherein said domain filter is coupled to at least one of said global routers for inhibiting transactions on said one global router originating in those of said system units within one of said domains from being received in certain of said system units outside said one domain.