System for deriving and testing mutual capability set after receiving updated capability from other processors and before requesting service information

摘要

A dynamic capability exchange mechanism permits two processing entities to notify each other of initial properties, or processing capabilities, as well as subsequent changes to those properties or capabilities. Before requesting a service, or function, of the other entity, one entity consults a mutual characteristic field (constructed from the current properties, or characteristics) to determine if the service, or function, is jointly available. A transport layer, acting as the communication mechanism between the two entities, provides for bidirectional communications between entities including a Control Program and a Service Call Logical Processor. The transport layer provides multiplexing, priority, failure, pacing, and buffer spanning support.