Network control information without reserved bandwidth

Apparatus for communication of messages between a plurality of nodes, said apparatus providing idle message periods between messages, the nodes comprising processor means, memory means for storing portions of the message data, multiplexor means and communication means for transmitting selected control information and messages between nodes, a message comprising a series of message data portions, comprising:

• (a) communication means for receiving and transmitting a message comprising message data portions;
• (b) memory means for storing said message data portions;
• (c) processor means for selecting control information from the set of control information in the memory means to transmit, based on current communication status;
• and
• (d) multiplexor means for transferring selected control information or message data portions to the communication means for transmission to a subsequent node, said multiplexor means transferring said control information and delaying transfer of a message data portion and, thereafter, transferring said message data portion that was delayed, to thereby expand transmission time of a message that includes said message data portion that was delayed, into an idle message period following said message.

A method for network messaging between a plurality of nodes wherein idle message periods are provided between successive messages, comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a message between nodes in the form of successive message packets that together comprise a message;
• determining when a control information packet is ready for transmission;
• and
• delaying transmission of a message packet and inserting said control information packet therefor and subsequently transmitting said message packet that was delayed to thereby expand transmission time of said message into a said idle period that follows said message.

A method for communication of messages between a plurality of nodes, the nodes comprising processor means, memory means for storing portions of messages and control information, multiplexor means and communication means for transmitting selected control information and message portions between nodes, said communication means providing idle message periods between messages, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a message;
• (b) storing portions of the message;
• (c) selecting control information from the memory means to transmit based on current communication status;
• and
• (d) transferring selected control information or message portions via multiplexor means to the communication means for transmission to a subsequent node, said control information interspersed with said message portions and transferred with said message portions by delaying transfer of selected message portions and transmitting control information instead, to thereby expand the transmission time of a message comprising said message portions into an adjoining idle message period.