Abstract: A method and system for maintaining partial order of packets in packet processing modules is described. The system includes a memory and a plurality of packet processing modules to process packets that are part of a sequence in order. The memory stores a plurality of indicators, each indicator associated with one of the plurality of packet processing modules to identify which packets in the sequence are to be processed by the packet processing module and which packets in the sequence are to be skipped. The next packet in the sequence to be processed by the packet processing module is determined based on the stored indicators. A packet received at the packet processing module is processed if the packet is the next packet in the sequence to be processed.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining partial order of packets in packet processing modules is described. The system includes a memory and a plurality of packet processing modules to process packets that are part of a sequence in order. The memory stores a plurality of indicators, each indicator associated with one of the plurality of packet processing modules to identify which packets in the sequence are to be processed by the packet processing module and which packets in the sequence are to be skipped. The next packet in the sequence to be processed by the packet processing module is determined based on the stored indicators. A packet received at the packet processing module is processed if the packet is the next packet in the sequence to be processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which provides improved security in distributed-environment voting. At least three voting processors running a voting algorithm are connected to a local area network (LAN) and exchange their individually determined results of a process application. Each result is committed to an interface module where it is checked, authenticated and buffered. The allotted time for receiving and buffering committed results is constrained by a first timed interval within the interface module. The first timed interval may be reset several times. The allotted time for checking and comparing the committed results from each processor is constrained by a second timed interval within each voting processor. A majority vote of those authenticated committed results is formed once all necessary iterations of the both the first and second timed intervals are completed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which provides improved security in distributed-environment voting. At least three voting processors running a voting algorithm are connected to a local area network (LAN) and exchange their individually determined results of a process application. Each result is committed to an interface module where it is checked, authenticated and buffered. The allotted time for receiving and buffering committed results is constrained by a first timed interval within the interface module. The first timed interval may be reset several times. The allotted time for checking and comparing the committed results from each processor is constrained by a second timed interval within each voting processor. A majority vote of those authenticated committed results is formed once all necessary iterations of the both the first and second timed intervals are completed.