Abstract: A distributed computing bus that provides both data transport and ambient computing power is provided. Contemplated buses comprise a network fabric of interconnected networking infrastructure nodes capable of being programmed before or after installation in the field. A fabric manager organizes the fabric into a bus topology communicatively coupling computing elements that exchange payload data using a bus protocol. Nodes within the bus topology operate on the payload data as the data passes through the node on route to its destination.

Abstract: A distributed computing system comprising networking infrastructure and methods of executing an application on the distributed computing system is presented. Interconnected networking nodes offering available computing resources form a network fabric. The computing resources can be allocated from the networking nodes, including available processing cores or memory elements located on the networking nodes. A software application can be stored in a system memory comprising memory elements allocated from the nodes. The software application can be disaggregated into a plurality of executable portions that are striped across the allocated processing cores by assigning each core a portion to execute. When the cores are authenticated with respect to their portions, the cores are allowed to execute the portions by accessing the system memory over the fabric. While executing the software application, the networking nodes having the allocated cores concurrently forward packets through the fabric.

Abstract: A managed surface-space network fabric is presented. The surface-space network fabric can include a spaced-based network fabric and a surface-based network fabric integrated together to form a single fabric managed by a global fabric manager. The global fabric manager cooperates with other fabric managers local to each fabric to establish a communication topology among all the nodes of the fabric. Preferred topologies include paths from any port on a node to any other port on another node in the fabric. The surface-space fabric, and each individual fabric, can function as a distributed core fabric operating as a single, coherent device.

Abstract: A distributed computing system comprising networking infrastructure and methods of executing an application on the distributed computing system is presented. Interconnected networking nodes offering available computing resources form a network fabric. The computing resources can be allocated from the networking nodes, including available processing cores or memory elements located on the networking nodes. A software application can be stored in a system memory comprising memory elements allocated from the nodes. The software application can be disaggregated into a plurality of executable portions that are striped across the allocated processing cores by assigning each core a portion to execute. When the cores are authenticated with respect to their portions, the cores are allowed to execute the portions by accessing the system memory over the fabric. While executing the software application, the networking nodes having the allocated cores concurrently forward packets through the fabric.

Abstract: Methods of providing a secure communication over a network fabric are presented. A network fabric preferably comprises multiple interconnected network elements. Devices connect to the fabric through one or more ports and communicate with each other over the fabric by exchanging communications. A port-to-port session can be established within which multiple communication paths can be constructed. As devices communicate via the ports, the communication can be divided into data chunks and transmitted along different paths. Additionally, each chunk can be independently encrypted on one or more legs of its journey across the fabric.

Abstract: Systems and methods for disaggregated management of a network fabric are presented. Network elements composing the network fabric can operate as a fabric manager with respect to one or more management functions while also continuing to operate as a communication conduit among hosts using the fabric. The roles or responsibilities of a fabric manager can migrate from one network element to another to preserve management coherency as well as to secure management of the network. Additionally, fabric managers communicate with the network fabric through one or more management channels.

Abstract: A switch encapsulates incoming information using a header, and removes the header upon egress. The header is used by both distributed ingress nodes and within a distributed core to facilitate switching. The ingress and egress elements preferably support Ethernet or other protocol providing connectionless media with a stateful connection. Preferred switches include management protocols for discovering which elements are connected, for constructing appropriate connection tables, for designating a master element, and for resolving failures and off-line conditions among the switches. Secure data protocol (SDP), port to port (PTP) protocol, and active/active protection service (AAPS) are all preferably implemented. Systems and methods contemplated herein can advantageously use Strict Ring Topology (SRT), and conf configure the topology automatically. Components of a distributed switching fabric can be geographically separated by at least one kilometer, and in some cases by over 150 kilometers.