METHOD OF INTER-PROCESS COMMUNICATION IN A DISTRIBUTED DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

A multi-processor, multi-tasking virtual machine comprises processes, messages, and contexts. Processes communicate only through messages. Contexts are groups of related processes. The virtual machine is implemented in a distributed data processing system comprising a plurality of individual cells coupled by a local area network (LAN). Each cell may comprise one or more processes and/or contexts. A network interface module (NIM) provides the interface between any individual cell and the LAN. To facilitate message transmission between processes resident on different cells, each NIM provides addressing modes allowing messages to be sent to processes according to the processes' names. Cells may be added to or deleted from the LAN, and processes may be created or deleted, without disrupting the LAN operations.