Abstract: A software based system and method for facilitating connection-oriented data communication over a plurality of communication channels between endpoint software modules. Communication connection modules facilitate communication in at least one protocol between endpoint software modules via the plurality of communication channels, whereby the addressing data requirements on the software modules are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods wherein communication link redundancy may be provided which is optimized to the primary links. Specifically, a redundant link portion of a communication system may be deployed to provide redundant links for a primary link portion of the communication system having substantially greater information communication capacity. However, through the use of isolation of portions of the primary link capacity, such as through the preferred embodiment sectors, sufficient redundant link capacity may be maintained economically. According to a preferred embodiment, a single redundant sector may be coextensive with a plurality of primary sectors and, thus, be relied upon for providing redundant links for any such primary sector. Preferred embodiments allow for the subsectoring of primary sectors while maintaining the configuration of a redundant sector corresponding thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a computer system is used for implementing an extended distributed recovery block fault tolerance scheme. The computer system includes a supervisory node, an active node and a standby node. Each of the nodes has a primary routine, an alternate routine and an acceptance test for testing the output of the routines. Each node also includes a device driver, a monitor and a node manager for determining the operational configuration of the node as well as a common agent, the common agent being a hybrid software agent comprising both the characteristics of an EDRB model and a virtual circuit state machine, wherein the attachment objects of the agent are identical regardless of where instances of the agent are located. The supervisory node acts as an arbitrator and coordinates the operation of the active and standby nodes. A reliable data link extends between the monitors of the active and standby nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a computer system is used for implementing an extended distributed recovery block fault tolerance scheme. The computer system includes a supervisory node, an active node and a standby node. Each of the nodes has a primary routine, an alternate routine and an acceptance test for testing the output of the routines. Each node also includes a device driver, a monitor and a node manager for determining the operational configuration of the node. The supervisory node coordinates the operation of the active and standby nodes. The primary and alternate routines are implemented with an application task through a plurality of agent objects operating as finite state machines. A reliable data link extends between the monitors of the active and standby nodes.