Efficient multi-segment message transmission with slot reuse on DQDB

A modification is presented of the distributed-queue dual-bus (DQDB) access protocol that allows: (1) messages to be transmitted with a minimal amount of overhead, and (2) slots to be released by the destination stations, without increasing the stations latencies, and without the use of erasure nodes. The allowance for a minimal overhead to be included in multi-segment message transmissions is provided through the use of the continuation-bit approach, while the slot release by destination stations, without increasing the stations latencies, is made possible by having stations keep track of the active message transmissions. This protocol requires few, but not major, changes to the slot format of the DQDB. The performance of the new protocol compares favourably to that of the original DQDB protocol and the DQDB protocol with erasure nodes