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The synthesis of communication protocols

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Abstract

We define a notation (specification language) for describing desired patterns of communication among components of a distributed system through multiport, unreliable channels. Our language specifies the network topology, and the kinds of information transmission desired. We give a polynomial-time algorithm for determining whether a specification is satisfiable; our algorithm can actually construct a protocol that achieves the specified exchange of information, optimized with respect to two possible criteria. Examples suggest that our method can automatically synthesize reasonably complex protocols.

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Communicated by Jeffrey Scott Vitter.

Research supported by the National Science Foundation. Presently at the University of California at San Diego.

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Afrati, F., Papadimitriou, C.H. & Papageorgiou, G. The synthesis of communication protocols. Algorithmica 3, 451–472 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01762126

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01762126

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