Communication protocols and error recovery procedures

Abstract

The design of multiple computer systems and computer networks poses some interesting new problems and shows some older problems in the light of a new context. We are interested in the problems which are related to the design of communication protocols and error recovery procedures. In the design of computer systems, error recovery procedures have often not received very much attention, although they are essential for the reliable operation of most systems. In the case of multiple computer systems, appropriate error recovery procedures can be used to obtain a very much increased availability of the system services. This is also an advantage of computer networks. Whereas single computer systems can sometimes function to a certain extent without elaborate error recovery procedures, data communication protocols, on the other hand, normally have to contain explicit error recovery procedures, since the underlying communication line is normally not very reliable. Therefore, approaches that have been used for the design of protocols in computer networks could also be useful in the design of local multiple computer systems for obtaining higher reliability and availability.