Methods and apparatus for communicating data in computer networks with separate packet assembly and packet broadcast channels

摘要

A plurality of computers are sequentially connected to form a chain of computers in a network. Data packets from computers are gathered and sequentially routed through the chain of computers to a last computer in the chain on a packet assembly channel. Data packets routed through the last computer are then broadcast to all the computers in the network on a packet broadcast channel. Each computer in the network is provided with a network interface card to interface with the packet assembly and broadcast channels. A network hub configures the packet assembly and broadcast channels route data packets generated by the computers through the last computer and to broadcast the data packets routed through the last computer to the computers in the network.