A Dynamic, Cut-Through Communications Protocol with Multicast

This paper describes a protocol to support point-to-point interprocessor communications with multicast. Dynamic, cut-through routing with local flow control is used to provide a high-throughput, low-latency communications path between processors. In addition, multicast transmissions are available, in which copies of a packet are sent to multiple destinations using common resources as much as possible. Special packet terminators and selective buffering are introduced to avoid deadlock during multicasts. A simulated implementation of the protocol is also described.
Prepared in cooperation with Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard, MA.