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Note: these notes are my personal understanding of the lectures and textbook. The content and order may differ from the original slides, with some details added or left out.

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The lecture material classifies interconnection networks along four primary parameters

1. Topology: How nodes (processors and memories) are wired together
   • Static Networks: Direct, fixed physical links are established between nodes
   • Dynamic Networks: Connections are established on demand using switches or shared buses
2. Mode of Operation:
   • Synchronous: A single global clock controls all components in lock-step
   • Asynchronous: No global clock; components coordinate via handshaking signals
3. Control Strategy:
   • Centralized: A single central controller manages all connections
   • Decentralized: Control logic is distributed across multiple components
4. Switching Technique:
   • Circuit Switching: A complete physical path is established between source and destination before data transfer begins
   • Packet Switching: Messages are divided into smaller packets that traverse the network independently

Bus-Based Dynamic Networks

Connections are established on demand using switches or shared buses

Single Bus Systems

• Simplest way to connect multiprocessor systems.
• The use of local caches reduces the processor-memory traffic.
• Size of such system varies between 2 and 50 processors.
• Single bus multiprocessors are inherently limited by:
  • Bandwidth of bus.
  • 1 processor can access the bus.
  • 1 memory access can take place at any given time.

Multiple Bus Systems

• Several parallel buses to interconnect multiple processors and multiple memory modules.
• Many connection schemes are possible.
• Examples:

  • Multiple Bus with Full Bus – Memory Connection (MBFBMC).

    

  • Multiple Bus with Single Bus – Memory Connection (MBSBMC).

    

  • Multiple Bus with Partial Bus – Memory Connection (MBPBMC).

    

  • Multiple Bus with Class-based Bus – Memory Connection (MBCBMC).