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.