A data bus for connecting information processing devices is configurable into a plurality of subbusses in order to fully utilize the data bus capacity. The size and data transfer direction of each subbus, as well as the data transfer speed of each subbus, is independent of the other subbusses. Also, the data bus can be reconfigured to meet changing system requirements. A data bus controller is thus provided to accomplish this data bus reconfiguration. The reconfiguration may be accomplished in accordance with one of a plurality of information flow templates which may be stored in a memory. A method of configuring a data bus is also provided wherein information transfer needs of a system are identified and the data bus is configured according to the identified information transfer means. The reconfiguration in accordance with the information transfer needs may be accomplished in accordance with one or more information flow templates which may be stored in a memory. The system may operate in accordance with a self-arbitration scheme such that the reconfiguration of the system is based on operational experience, such as utilization rates or excess capacity associated with each of the subbusses.
