Abstract: A communications network including several ports where each port is connected to at least one data processing system element. The ports are interconnected by an information bus. Additionally, the ports are connected to a matrix switch that has the capability of providing a direct communications channel between any two of the ports. Each port includes control circuitry for communicating with other ports over the bus and through the bus, regulating the matrix switch in order for the matrix switch to provide the direct communication channels between two ports.

Abstract: An interrupt driven digital processing system is disclosed including routines for servicing interrupt requests received from a plurality of interrupt sources. The interrupt servicing routines each interrupt regular processing within the system and perform predetermined work items required to immediately satisfy the received interrupt request. The active servicing routine then identifies and queues individual work items that must be performed to completely satisfy the received interrupt request, but that can be performed at a future time without affecting system performance. Regular processing is then reinstated and the queued work items are executed. By this means, regular processing is interrupted for a minimum amount of time while servicing individual interrupt requests. Also, the work items in queue are prioritized for execution during regular processing in order to optimize the performance of the digital processing system.