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iAPX
432
Interface
Processor
Architecture
Refer.ence Manual
Through
its
windows, an
IP
provides
the
basic
ability
to
read
and
wr
i
te
the
contents
of
objects
composed
of
data
segments. However,
using
its
function
request
facility
an
IP
can
manipulate
an
access
descriptor
which
references
an
object.
The
IP
can
examine a complex
(multi-segment)
object,
gaining
access
to
its
(X)fT1pOnent
segments.
It
can
perfo~
type
and
rights
manipulation
on
both
hardware-recognized
typed
objects
as
well
as
software-recognized
types.
When
manipulating
software-recx:>gnized
types,
an
I/O
oontroller
is
acting
as
a
type
manager and
its
actions
trust
be
coordinated
with
the
432
type
manager which
has
created
the
object.
The
Interface
Processor
provides
the
I/O
cOntroller
with
both
process
and
processor
communication
facil
i
ties.
I
nterprocess
conmunication
is
asynchronous and
is
performed
with
the
ai.d
of
ports,
system
objects
which
provide
synchronization
and
queuing
for
messages.
Any
object
may
be
sent
as
a message from a
process
to
a
port.
Interprocessor
communication messages
are
predefined.
Some
of
them
apply
to
all
classes
of
432
processors,
and
others
are
specific
to
a
parti.cular
class
(e.g.,
IP
or
GOP)
of
processor.
The
I/O
oontroller
can
send one
of
these
messages
to
an
indi
vidual
processor,
or
it
can
broadcast
a message
to
all
processors
in
the
432 system.
2-4