by default, sockets are blocking - this means that they stop the function from returning until all data has been transfered. With multiple connections which may or may not be transmitting data to a server, this would not be very good as connections may have to wait to transmit their data.
Of an action which does not block a processor's continued operation.
an interface or execution model which does not require blocking (see blocking).
A switch's ability to transmit and receive packets on all ports simultaneously, at wire speed.
An operation that does not block the execution of the process using it. The term is usually applied to communications operations, where it implies that the communicating process may perform other operations before the communication has completed.
Non-Blocking - A term with multiple and conflicting industry usage. May be used to express the ability to connect a single input of a switching array to multiple outputs simultaneously without any input loading or mismatches. This usually results in a constant signal loss because of the use of power dividers (signal splitters) to configure the non-blocking switching array. Non-blocking switching arrays can also be achieved using impedance shifting in place of power dividers. Also referred to as Full Fanout. In multi-stage switching arrays (tri-stage or 3-stage), it refers to the ability to route and input to an output at all times (no blocking due to unavailable middle stages).
