Time-triggered distribution of messages from a region of networked machines to multiple destinations using gateway-based time perimeters

A computer-implemented method for performing a time-ordered operation on messages transmitted from multiple sources, the method comprising:

• for each of two or more regions of networked machines:
• running a software-based synchronization process to synchronize each of a plurality of gateways with a reference clock specific to that region, wherein each gateway is a machine on a perimeter of that region of networked machines and connected to transmit messages to multiple destinations, the perimeter defining a logically connected group of gateways that are to transmit messages in an order in which they are received along the perimeter:
• receiving messages that are addressed to one or more of the multiple destinations and are to exit that region through one or more of the gateways according to a distribution schedule based on absolute time relative to that reference clock and buffering the messages for a given window of time prior to a given distribution, the distribution schedule ensuring that messages received within the given window of time at any gateway along the perimeter are transmitted in the order in which they are received along the perimeter;
• and performing the distribution of the received messages by the one or more gateways according to the distribution schedule,
• wherein each gateway determines absolute time based on that gateway's synchronization with the reference clock;
• wherein the perimeter for one of the regions lies entirely inside the perimeter of another of the regions.