METHOD FOR AND MULTIPROCESSOR SYSTEM HAVING HIERARCHICALLY ARRANGED MODULES

摘要

The present invention is directed to data processing systems, particularly parallel processing systems coordinating major system state change activities among multiple modules. The invention, as claimed, is a multiprocessor system having hierarchically arranged modules and a method for hierarchically arranging such modules. Characteristics of the system include the fact that the controlling entity is initially unaware of the full set of potential modules, the modules have varying degrees of interdependence, and that modules affected by a given event must change state at approximately the same time and in a predetermined specific order. In the preferred embodiment, the invention provides means for controlling operations within a multi-threaded process pair which includes multiple modules having varying degree of interdependence. In essence, modules depend on the services of other modules such that state changes must be made in a specific order so that required dependencies are satisfied.