DCF: Distributed communication with fault tolerance

Abstract

We describe a relatively simple fault tolerant distributed directory and communication service providing both connectionless and session services between applications that conform to a client server model. The directory service allows clients to communicate with named servers without knowing their locations and it allows servers to change locations quickly, facilitating fast recovery from system component failures. The prototype system we describe has been incorporated into the Transparent Services Access Facility of IBM operating system VM/SP5; but it should be noted that our discussion pertains to the prototype and not to the final product.