Service address routing: a network architecture for tightly coupled distributed computing systems

A novel interconnection network architecture is proposed for integrating tightly coupled distributed systems. It allows the implementation of service address routing (SAR): network communications between components are based on the "name" of requested services. It is a client server communications model, and includes the traditional physical addressing schemes. This enhanced network architecture registers the capabilities of the components attached to its ports and directs service requests to appropriate server nodes. The network can perform resource allocation by placing services in nodes that can support them. Load distribution can be achieved by binding requests to adequate servers with enough free resources. Furthermore, SAR effects a simple, yet efficient and transparent resource discovery mechanism by means of a distributed content addressable search at each network port. When migration of services is allowed SAR permits the network to realize more resource management functions, such as load balancing, normally ascribed to higher level SSI distributed operating systems.