Multiprocessor system

A distributed power system for a multiprocessor system of the kind in which separate processor modules are interconnected for parallel processing, said distributed power system comprising,

• a plurality of separate processor modules,
• interprocessor bus means interconnecting the processor modules for signaling and data transfer between the processor modules,
• a plurality of device controllers for controlling the transfer of data between a plurality of processor modules and a plurality of peripheral devices,
• multiple ports in each device controller and a separate input/output bus associated with each port for connecting each device controller for access by different processor modules, and
• distributed power supply means including a plurality of separate power supplies for providing continued operation of the multiprocessor system in the event of a failure of a single power supply to a part of the multiprocessor system,
• said distributed supply means including a separate power supply for each processor module, a processor power supply bus connecting each processor module to its associated power supply, device controller power supply bus means connecting at least two of the separate power supplies to each device controller and switch means connecting each device controller to the device controller power supply bus means and effective in the event of the failure of one of the power supplies connected to any device controller to continue to supply power without interruption to the device controller from the other power supply connected to the device controller.