Recently, connecting thousands of processors via interconnection networks based on multiple (hierarchical) rings has an increased interest. This is due to the large acceptance and success of the Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI) technology. The inherently weak behavior of ring architecture has led interconnection designers to consider various choices to improve the overall network reliability. An interesting choice is to use braided rings instead of the single (basic) rings in the hierarchy. In this paper, we present new formulas for computing K-processor reliability of SCI ring-based hierarchical networks in the context of large-scale multiprocessor systems. The derived formulas are general and applicable to any given systems size consisting of an arbitrary number of levels. The reliability of hierarchical systems based on the basic and braided rings is evaluated and analyzed using the derived formulas. The results show that hierarchical systems based on braided rings significantly improve the reliability of hierarchies constructed of basic rings. The results are general and not limited to systems of SCI rings; the analysis is valid for any type of rings architecture such as token and slotted rings.
The Scalable Coherent Interface and related standards projects