Redundant communication fabrics for enhancing fault tolerance in Totem networks

A method for providing fault tolerance in a Totem network, comprising the steps performed by a device operably connected on the network of:

• receiving a token transmitted on a first fabric of a plurality of fabrics of the network;
• determining whether the number of times that a token has been switched from the first fabric to a second fabric of the plurality of fabrics exceeds a predetermined number;
• upon a determination that the number of times that a token has been switched exceeds a predetermined number, marking the token to indicate that at least one of the plurality of fabrics has failed;
• setting a fabric switch count stored on the token to zero in response to the indication that at least one of the fabrics has failed;
• and
• transmitting the token on a second fabric of the plurality of fabrics of the network.

A Totem ring master device comprising:

• a processor for processing messages and tokens;
• at least one first interface connectable to each fabric of a plurality of fabrics comprising a Totem ring network;
• means for determining whether the number of times the token has been switched from a first fabric to a second fabric of the plurality of fabrics exceeds a predetermined number, thereby indicating that at least one of the plurality of fabrics has failed;
• and
• means for setting the number of fabric switches stored on the token to zero in response to the indication that at least one of the fabrics has failed.

A Totem ring master device comprising:

• a processor for processing messages and tokens;
• at least one first interface connectable to each fabric of a plurality of fabrics comprising a Totem ring network;
• means for determining whether the number of times the token has been switched from a first fabric to a second fabric of the plurality of fabrics exceeds a predetermined number, thereby indicating that at least one of the plurality of fabrics has failed;
• means for setting a fabric switch count stored on the token to zero in response to the indication that at least one of the fabrics has failed;
• and
• means for transmitting the token on a second fabric of the plurality of fabrics of the network.