Efficient distributed knot detection algorithm

A distributed knot detection algorithm for general graphs is presented. The knot detection algorithm uses at most O(n log n + m) messages and O(m + n log n) bits of memory to detect all knots' nodes in the network (where n is the number of nodes and m is the number of links). This is compared to O(n2) messages needed in the best algorithm previously published. The knot detection algorithm makes use of efficient cycle detection and clustering techniques. Various applications for the knot detection algorithms are presented. In particular, its importance to deadlock detection in store and forward communication networks and in transaction systems is demonstrated.