Distributed Store-and-Forward Deadlock Detection and Resolution Algorithms

Distributed algorithms for the detection and resolution of deadlocks in store-and-forward computer communication networks are presented and validated. The algorithms use a fixed amount of storage at each node (that is independent of the size of the network). The detection algorithm is simple but requires network-wide coordination. The resolution algorithm is based on earlier approaches, but uses the network-wide coordination to address certain synchronization problems. When the detection and resolution algorithms are merged, it is guaranteed that packets will arrive at their destinations in finite time.