VMNet Backplane Network
VMNetTM Backplane Network
The VMNet software provides a standards compliant, high-performance,
backplane networking solution. It supports Internet Protocol (IP) versions 4 and 6
(IPv4, IPv6) as well as the advanced Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) protocol.
RDMA is a high-throughput, low-latency, approach to data transfer. It is often
utilized in High-Performance Computing environments, where large volumes of data are moved
between systems. As network speeds increase into the 10Gbps realm, even modern CPUs struggle to
process the TCP/IP protocol. RDMA is an approach to reducing the CPU burden associated
with these high bandwidth networks.
A crucial feature of the VMNet software is that it performs all data transfer over
the chassis backplane (VME or cPCI), and therefore does not require any external or
additional hardware. This is often a critical aspect of mobile applications, where
Size Weight and Power (SWaP) are extremly constrained resources.
The VMNet software is structured as a standard Linux(tm) device driver, so application
integration is automatic. Any IP or RDMA enabled application will,
without modification, take advantage of the data transfer capabilities of the
backplane.
In the past, backplane data communications were often achieved through the use of proprietary
software, requiring special software for integration. Because VMNet presents a standard
network device interface, and integrates into the Linux network protocol stack, applications
are insulated from the specifics of the network medium. This greatly improves software portability,
and facilitates Open Architecture goals.
Check out the VMNet product brochure for more information.