Fault location techniques for distributed control interconnection networks

One class of networks suitable for use in parallel processing systems is the multistage cube network. The authors focus on fault location procedures suitable for use in networks that use distributed routing control through the use of routing tags and message transmission protocols. Faults occurring in the data lines can corrupt message routing tags transmitted over them and thereby cause misrouting of messages. Protocol lines (used in handshaking between network sources and destinations), if faulty, can prevent a message path from being established or can cause the path to `lock up' once transmission of data has begun. These faults have more pronounced effects on the network performance than faults previously considered for centralized routing control systems. The single-fault location procedures presented form a logical superset to those of the centralized control systems (where message routing is dictated by the actions of a global control unit) and can be adapted for use in both circuit and packet switching networks.