A dynamic end to end retry apparatus and method uses the concept of transaction
identification numbers combined with a path number and flow control class to uniquely
account for all transactions in a multi-processor computer system. The apparatus
and method ensure there are no duplicate transactions through the use of special
probe and plunge transactions and their respective responses. The apparatus and
method also allow for any number of alternate paths being active simultaneously,
such that if one path fails, the remaining alternate paths can continue on the
communication (along with the backup alternate path if desired) as usual without
any loss of transactions.
