Abstract :
The design and implementation of a multiprocessor-based communication subsystem called the Parallel Protocol Engine (PPE), for the parallel and pipelined execution of protocols, are described. As an example, an implementation of the ISO 8802-2.2 logical link control on a four-processor version of the PPE is presented and analyzed. The performance of the implementation is more than 16,000 type-2 information protocol data units/s, commensurate with emerging high-speed networks that operate in the 100-Mb/s range. The overall end-to-end performance of an integrated system, where two workstations, each equipped with a PPE, communicate over a high-speed link, is analyzed and the problems concerning the soft- and hardware interface to the PPE are presented
Keywords :
computer networks; multiprocessor interconnection networks; open systems; parallel architectures; pipeline processing; protocols; workstations; ISO 8802-2.2 logical link control; PPE; Parallel Protocol Engine; four-processor version; hardware interface; high-speed link; high-speed networks; integrated system; multiprocessor-based communication subsystem; parallel and pipelined execution; performance; pipelined execution; software interface; workstations; Communication system control; Computer architecture; Engines; Hardware; High-speed networks; Optical fibers; Performance analysis; Protocols; Very large scale integration; Workstations;