Relational database system having a network for transmitting colliding packets and a plurality of processors each storing a disjoint portion of database

A processing system for data base management comprising the combination of:

• (a) at least one processor providing information packets comprising subtasks related to a data base task;
• (b) a number of microprocessor means, at least some of which comprise access module processors including storage means having:
• (i) a primary data storage containing an exclusive disjoint fraction of the data base and providing processed information packets,
• (ii) backup data storage containing disjoint fractions of the data base and no commonality with the primary data storage at the same storage means,
• the microprocessor means including means responsive to the information packets themselves for determining whether a received information packet is relevant to the associated fraction of the data base, the means responsive to the information packets themselves comprising lookup table means responsive to the information packet;
• (c) bidirectional active bus means comprising:
• (i) an information packet selection network coupled to the individual microprocessor means, the active bus means including means for selecting multiple concurrent information packets flowing in an upstream direction and redirecting an ultimately selected packet in a downstream direction to the microprocessor means,
• (ii) a plurality of intercoupled active node means, each active node having a first and second downstream port and an upstream port, the upstream port being connected to a downstream port of a successive upstream node, each including means for determining priority between information packets moving in the upstream direction,
• (iii) a redundant structure of node means and interconnections providing alternate branching inputs to each of the microprocessor means;
• and
• (d) interface microprocessor means coupled to the processor and to the divergent end of the active bus means to transfer information packets to and from the processor, whereby the system can pace the rates of operation of the processor, the active bus means and the microprocessor means, wherein the processor includes a channel data base machine and the interface processor means includes a channel interface coupled to the processor bus and a separate interface coupled to the active bus means.

A data base management system for a digital computer system generating a plurality of requests pertaining to a data file, comprising:

• a plurality of processors, each including a relational data storage having a primary disjoin portion of the data base, and a backup portion comprising subparts of each of a number of the primary portions at the other processors;
• interface means coupled to the digital computer system for responding to a request from the digital computer system by generating an information packet containing a relational characterization;
• the processors each containing means responsive to the relational characterizations for processing only those information packets related to its portion of the data base to generate responsive packets;
• and
• network means coupling the interface means to the processors for prioritizing competing and colliding information packets and for delivering the prioritized information packets concurrently to the processors whereby data base manipulation is effected by each said processor independently of the status of other said processors.

A data base management system comprising:

• at least one host computer system for executing application programs and generating information packets for the system, the host computer requiring access to different ones of a number of data base files;
• an active bidirectional communications network having a plurality of decisional Y node circuits defining a tree having a plurality of branches at its divergent end, each of the Y node circuits including means for prioritizing competing and colliding information packets applied thereto;
• a number of access module processors coupled to some of the branches of the communications network;
• a number of secondary data storages distributed among the different access module processors and each having at least a unique subset of the data base file, the associated access module processor including means responding to receiving one of said information packets to recognize the presence of an appropriate data subset and to generate a processed information packet using the associated secondary data storage;
• a number of interface processors coupled to others of the branches of the communications network and each coupled to at least one of a plurality of main frame computers for responding to the content of said information packets to provide data in the information packets identifying data base subsets, and to control interfacing with said at least one of said main frame computers;
• and
• wherein the access module processors and the interface processors each includes means for coupling competing information packets concurrently to the network, whereby tasks are performed on a priority basis but without extensive overhead functions being required.