Multi-node network with internode switching performed within processor nodes, each node separately processing data and control messages

A distributed data processing system configured as a disk drive controller array, comprising:

• a plurality of disk drive controller nodes, each disk drive controller node directly connected to each of N other nodes via a bi-directional communication link, where N>=4, each said node thereby having at least twice as much input/output bandwidth as internal message handling bandwidth, each disk drive controller node further comprising:
• control message means for substantially independent handling of control messages;
• control memory means coupled to said control message means for storing control messages;
• disk drive means;
• data message means for substantially independent handling of data messages;
• data memory means coupled to said data message means for storing data messages to and from said disk drive means;
• processor means coupled to each of the aforesaid means, for causing said data message means to assemble, queue and dispatch data messages from said data memory means and said control message means to assemble, queue and dispatch control messages from said control memory means, said data messages generally being substantially longer than said control messages;
• and
• input/output (I/O) switch means coupled between said N bi-directional communication links and said data message means and control message means and including routing control means, for utilizing said N bidirectional communication links to enable concurrent dispatch of control messages and data messages in accord with outputs from said routing control means, said I/O switch means employing said N bidirectional communication links to enable dispatch of said control messages, without requiring delay thereof pending completion of dispatch of said data messages.