Importance

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Abstract

In a multi-node network containing a plurality of parallel and distributed nodes, this invention reduces the time to establish a through-path or make a decision that no through-path can be established at the present time. In one aspect, each node that can be an originating node contains connectivity analysis logic which performs a minimum cycle breakdown of the possible paths between the originating node and the destination node to establish a list of nodes to be tried before attempting to establish a through-path to a destination node whereby exhaustive testing of all paths is not undertaken. In another, each node that can be an intermediate node contains pruning logic for pruning a non-variable tested path and all associated paths depending therefrom from further testing whereby redundant testing of paths which will result in failure is eliminated. In yet another, each node that can be an intermediate node contains backtracking logic for not waiting at the node for a link to a busy next-adjacent further node to free up and for backtracking to a next-adjacent previous node when no next-adjacent further node is immediately non-busy. Additionally, each node contains an intelligent channel having a separate path setup mode in which the function of path establishing is performed and data transmission mode in which the function of data transfer is performed whereby transmitted data passes through the nodes without processing time being added.

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First Claim