Communications and input/output switching in a multiplex computing system

This paper discusses the general communications and input/output switching problems in a large-scale multiplexed computing system. A basic goal of such a computing system is to serve simultaneously and continuously a wide range and large number of users. By rapidly time-multiplexing the use of computer system facilities on behalf of these users, the system attempts to satisfy the completion time and response time desires of both the on-line interactive user and the absentee user.