Inter-process messaging using multiple client-server pairs
A plurality of virtual circuits, each including at least two network nodes, may be established over a single network connection for inter-process messaging. The network connection may be opened asynchronously via a non-blocking open. A virtual circuit including three or more nodes may be implemented in a star formation or a relay formation. Messages may be sent as unicast or broadcast messages. An additional virtual circuit may be opened for the purpose of transmitting status information regarding the network connection between the networked computer systems.
1. A method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging, wherein the method comprises:
opening a network connection between a first computer system and a second computer system by opening a first socket on the first computer system and a second socket on the second computer system, wherein the first and second sockets comprise connections to a network protocol;
opening a first virtual circuit over the network connection between a first process and a second process, wherein the first process comprises a first application having write access for the first socket, and wherein the second process comprises a second application having read access for the second socket;
opening a second virtual circuit over the network connection between a third process and a fourth process, wherein the third process comprises a third application having write access for the first socket, and wherein the fourth process comprises a fourth application having read access for the second socket;
sending a first message over the first virtual circuit from the first process to the second process;
sending a second message over the second virtual circuit from the third process to the fourth process.
2. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
extending the first virtual circuit to include a fifth process on a third computer system;
sending a third message over the first virtual circuit to the fifth process on the third computer system.
3. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 2 , wherein the first virtual circuit is implemented in a star formation.
4. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 2 , wherein the first virtual circuit is implemented in a relay formation.
5. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 2 , further comprising sending the third message as a unicast message.
6. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 2 , further comprising sending the third message as a broadcast message.
7. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 1 , wherein the network connection is opened asynchronously.
8. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 1 , further comprising calculating a difference between a clock on the first computer system and a clock on the second computer system for clock synchronization.
9. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 1 , further comprising opening a third virtual circuit for transmitting status information regarding the network connection between the first computer system and the second computer system.
10. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 9 , wherein the status information comprises a current clock on the first computer system and a current clock on the second computer system.
11. The method for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging as recited in claim 9 , wherein the status information comprises a status of the network connection.
12. A computer system comprising:
one or more microprocessors;
a memory coupled to the one or more microprocessors, the memory including program instructions executable to implement a method of:
opening a network connection between a first computer system and a second computer system by opening a first socket on the first computer system and a second socket on the second computer system, wherein the first and second sockets comprise connections to a network protocol;
opening a first virtual circuit over the network connection between a first process and a second process, wherein the first process comprises a first application having write access for the first socket, and wherein the second process comprises a second application having read access for the second socket;
opening a second virtual circuit over the network connection between a third process and a fourth process, wherein the third process comprises a third application having write access for the first socket, and wherein the fourth process comprises a fourth application having read access for the second socket;
sending a first message over the first virtual circuit from the first process to the second process;
sending a second message over the second virtual circuit from the third process to the fourth process.
13. The computer system as recited in claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises:
extending the first virtual circuit to include a fifth process on a third computer system;
sending a third message over the first virtual circuit to the fifth process on the third computer system.
14. The computer system as recited in claim 12 , wherein the network connection is opened asynchronously.
15. The computer system as recited in claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises calculating a difference between a clock on the first computer system and a clock on the second computer system for clock synchronization.
16. The computer system as recited in claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises opening a third virtual circuit for transmitting status information regarding the network connection between the first computer system and the second computer system.
17. A computer readable storage medium including program instructions executable to implement a method of:
opening a network connection between a first computer system and a second computer system by opening a first socket on the first computer system and a second socket on the second computer system, wherein the first and second sockets comprise connections to a network protocol;
opening a first virtual circuit over the network connection between a first process and a second process, wherein the first process comprises a first application having write access for the first socket, and wherein the second process comprises a second application having read access for the second socket;
opening a second virtual circuit over the network connection between a third process and a fourth process, wherein the third process comprises a third application having write access for the first socket, and wherein the fourth process comprises a fourth application having read access for the second socket;
sending a first message over the first virtual circuit from the first process to the second process;
sending a second message over the second virtual circuit from the third process to the fourth process.
18. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 17 wherein the method further comprises:
extending the first virtual circuit to include a fifth process on a third computer system;
sending a third message over the first virtual circuit to the fifth process on the third computer system.
19. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 17 , wherein the network connection is opened asynchronously.
20. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises calculating a difference between a clock on the first computer system and a clock on the second computer system for clock synchronization.
21. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises opening a third virtual circuit for transmitting status information regarding the network connection between the first computer system and the second computer system.
22. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 17 , wherein the status information comprises a current clock on the first computer system and a current clock on the second computer system.
23. The computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 22 , wherein the status information comprises a status of the network connection.
24. A system for providing virtual circuits for inter-process messaging, wherein the system comprises:
means for opening a network connection between a first computer system and a second computer system by opening a first socket on the first computer system and a second socket on the second computer system, wherein the first and second sockets comprise connections to a network protocol;
means for opening a first virtual circuit over the network connection between a first process and a second process, wherein the first process comprises a first application having write access for the first socket, and wherein the second process comprises a second application having read access for the second socket;
means for opening a second virtual circuit over the network connection between a third process and a fourth process, wherein the third process comprises a third application having write access for the first socket, and wherein the fourth process comprises a fourth application having read access for the second socket;
means for sending a first message over the first virtual circuit from the first process to the second process;
means for sending a second message over the second virtual circuit from the third process to the fourth process.