Abstract: A mesh connected local area network provides automatic packet switching and routing between host computers coupled to the network. The network has a multiplicity of cut-through, nonblocking switches, each capable of simultaneously routing a multiplicity of data packets. Low host-to-host latency is achieved through the use of cut-through switches with separate internal buffers for each packet being routed. The switches are interconnected with one another and are coupled to the host computers of the network by point to point full duplex links. While each switch can be coupled to ten or more network members, i.e., switches and hosts, each link is coupled to only two network members and is dedicated to carrying signals therebetween. Whenever a new switch or link is added to the network, and whenever a switch or link fails, the switches in the network automatically reconfigure the network by recomputing the set of legal paths through the network.

Abstract: A rotating priority encoder for selecting from a number of input priority request lines that input request line which is active and which designated as having the highest priority. A mask unit selectively passes only those input request signals which have index numbers which are equal to or greater than a predetermined base-point index number. A 2N priority encoder receives two sets of input signals: L<i>, the masked priority request signals from the mask unit, and H<i> the original priority request signals. The masked priority signals L<i> are given highest priority by this arrangement. The output signal of the 2N priority encoder is the index number of the lowest indexed active input request line. The base-point index number is periodically changed to designate a new input request line as having the highest priority. The masked priority request signals L<i> are assigned the lowest numbers in a sequence of index numbers.

Abstract: A mesh connected local area network provides automatic packet switching and routing between host computers coupled to the network. The network has a multiplicity of cut-through, nonblocking switches, each capable of simultaneously routing a multiplicity of data packets. Low host-to-host latency is achieved through the use of cut-through switches with separate internal buffers for each packet being routed. The switches are interconnected with one another and are coupled to the host computers of the network by point to point full duplex links. While each switch can be coupled to ten or more network members, i.e., switches and hosts, each link is coupled to only two network members and is dedicated to carrying signals therebetween. Whenever a new switch or link is added to the network, and whenever a switch or link fails, the switches in the network automatically reconfigure the network by recomputing the set of legal paths through the network.