Axon: A High Speed Communication Architecture for Distributed Applications

There are two complementary trends in the computer and communication fields. Increasing processor power and memory availability allow more demanding applications, such as scientific visualization and imaging. Advances in network performance and functionality have the potential for supporting programs requiring high bandwidth and predictable performance. However, the bottleneck in increasingly in the host-network interface, and thus the ability to deliver high performance communication capability to applications has not kept up with the advances in computer and network speed. We have proposed a new architecture that meets these challenges called Axon, whose novel aspects include: an integrated design of hardware, operating systems, and communications protocols, stressing both performance and the required functionality for demanding applications; the proper division of hardware and software function; and reorganization of end-to-end protocols to take advantage of the increased functionality of the emerging high speed internetworks