Device and method for retrieving/storing electronic data in a system with a plurality of data processing units

Method for searching for a data processing unit in order to store an object comprising electronic data in the data processing unit/to retrieve such an object from the data processing unit, in a system consisting of a plurality of data processing units, which each comprise a read-write memory for recording/outputting the object with processor means and storage means, and physical data exchange links between the plurality of data processing units, wherein

• a virtual network is formed in the system, in which network the plurality of data processing units are provided as a series arrangement with a sequence of a plurality of memories (S1, . . . , Sn;
• n>1), in which a first memory (S1) is arranged next to a last memory (Sn), and, in which in each of the plurality of memories (S1, . . . , Sn) a routing table is formed, which table includes entries comprising electronic reference information concerning communication links between one memory corresponding to the routing table and others of the plurality of memories (S1, . . . , Sn), and
• each memory of the plurality of memories (S1, . . . , Sn) is assigned a name range of a corresponding ordered name space for names of the objects,
• wherein, in the method, a search query for the object is detected in the system and, triggered by the detected search query, the data processing unit is determined on the basis of the electronic reference information in the routing table, and
• wherein, for each memory (Sx;
• x=1, 2, . . . ;
• 1≦x≦n) of the plurality of memories (S1, . . . , Sn) in the virtual network, the electronic reference information in the entries ESX[j, i] (1≦i, 1≦j<b) in the corresponding routing table is formed as follows:
• entry ESX[1, 1]=reference to communication link to the memory (Sx+1), which is next in the sequence;
• entry ESX[2, 1]=entry ESX+1[1, 1]
• entry ESX[j, 1]=entry ESV[k, 1] in a further memory (Sv), to which an entry ESX[m, 1] in the memory (Sx) refers, wherein 2<<b, 0<k, m and k+m=j.
• entry ESX[1, i]=entry ESV[k, i−1] in a further memory (Sv), to which an entry ESX[m, i−1] in the memory (Sx) refers, wherein 1<i, 0<k, m and k+m=b.
• entry ESX[j, i]=entry ESV[k, i] in a further memory (Sv), to which an entry ESX[m, i] in the memory (Sx) refers, wherein 2≦j<b, 1<i, 0<k, m and k+m=j.