Distributed and transactionally deterministic data processing architecture

A computer implemented method comprising:

• receiving, by a transaction receiver, over a first data path characterized by a first transmission latency, an electronic data transaction request message from at least one client computer;
• sequencing, by the transaction receiver, the received electronic data transaction request message;
• forwarding, by the transaction receiver, the sequenced electronic transaction request message to a plurality of transaction processors over a second data path characterized by a second transmission latency;
• processing, by the plurality of transaction processors, the sequenced electronic data transaction request message;
• generating, by a plurality of transaction processors, at least one electronic data transaction result message based on the processing of the sequenced electronic data transaction request message;
• and
• transmitting, by the plurality of transaction processors, at least a subset of the at least one electronic data transaction result message to an arbiter over a third path characterized by a third transmission latency less than the first transmission latency;
• selecting, by the arbiter, a particular electronic data transaction result message from the subset of the at least one electronic data transaction result message;
• and
• transmitting, by the arbiter, the particular electronic data transaction result message to the at least one client computer over a fourth path characterized by a fourth transmission latency less than the first transmission latency.

A system comprising:

• means for receiving over a first data path characterized by a first transmission latency, an electronic data transaction request message from at least one client computer;
• means for sequencing the received electronic data transaction request message;
• means for forwarding the sequenced electronic transaction request message to a plurality of transaction processors over a second data path characterized by a second transmission latency;
• means for processing the sequenced electronic data transaction request message;
• means for generating at least one electronic data transaction result message based on the processing of the sequenced electronic data transaction request message;
• and
• means for transmitting at least a subset of the at least one electronic data transaction result message to an arbiter over a third path characterized by a third transmission latency less than the first transmission latency;
• means for selecting a particular electronic data transaction result message from the subset of the at least one electronic data transaction result message;
• and
• transmitting, by the arbiter, the particular electronic data transaction result message to the at least one client computer over a fourth path characterized by a fourth transmission latency less than the first transmission latency.