A theory for deadlock-free dynamic network reconfiguration. Part I

This paper develops theoretical support useful for determining deadlock properties of dynamic network reconfiguration techniques and also serves as a basis for the development of design methodologies useful for deriving deadlock-free reconfiguration techniques. It is applicable to interconnection networks typically used in multiprocessor servers, network-based computing clusters, and distributed storage systems, and also has potential application to system-on-chip networks. This theory builds on basic principles established by previous theories while pioneering new concepts fundamental to the case of dynamic network reconfiguration.