Importance

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Abstract

A two priority protocol is provided for selecting end nodes to send network packets over a network. Network packets are, for example, high priority network packets or normal priority network packets. When an end node has a high priority network packet to send it makes a high priority request to its hub. When an end node has a normal priority network packet to send it makes a normal priority request to its hub. Once an end node makes a high or normal priority request, the end node waits for an acknowledgment from the hub before transmitting the packet. When at least one end node in the network system has a high priority network packet to send, each end node with a high priority network packet is acknowledged in turn. Each end node, when acknowledged, sends its high priority network packet through the network. Once all high priority network packets have been sent through the network, normal priority network packets are sent. While at least one end node in the network system has a normal priority network packet to send and no end nodes have a high priority network packet to send, each end node with a normal priority network packet is acknowledged in turn. A lower level hub forwards a normal priority network packet to a higher level hub. After forwarding the normal priority network packet to the higher level hub, the lower level hub sends a first signal to the higher level hub. The first signal indicates one of the following: (1) the lower level hub will immediately send another normal priority network packet; (2) the lower level hub has no more normal priority network packets to send; or (3) sending of normal priority network packets by the lower level hub has been preempted, but the lower level hub has not completed acknowledging in turn each end node with a normal priority network packet.

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First Claim