Controlling multiple context processing elements based on transmitted message containing configuration data, address mask, and destination indentification

摘要

A method and apparatus for providing local control of processing elements in a network of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs). A MCPE stores configuration memory contexts and maintains data of a current configuration. State information is received from at least one other MCPE. A configuration control signal is generated in response to the state information and current configuration data. A MCPE is selected in response to the configuration control signal to control the MCPE. Each MCPE in the networked array has an assigned physical and virtual identification. Data comprising control data, configuration data, an address mask, and a destination identification is transmitted to a MCPE. The transmitted address mask is applied to either a physical or a virtual identification, and to a destination identification. The masked physical or virtual identification is compared to the masked destination identification. When the masked physical or virtual identification matches the masked destination identification, a MCPE is manipulated in response to the transmitted data by selecting one of a number of configuration memory contexts to control the functioning of the MCPE.