Virtual Interface Architecture (VIA) complements I2O
Allen, I know you've mentioned clustering here in the past but I don't recall seeing this spec mentioned. While we were sparring with Mark Brophy about WIND's stock performance, Compaq, Intel, and Microsoft published a new clustering standard on Dec. 16 that is said to complement I2O. Background information and technical specs can be found at: viarch.org . I'm interested in your thoughts on this development.
Here are some articles from Techweb, with excerpts mentioning I2O:
Supercomputing scheme has broad impact -- Virtual interface will simplify clustering, EE Times, Dec. 15, 1997
techweb.com
Excerpt: "VIA isn't being created in a vacuum. Its promoters note that other standards are addressing different aspects of the interface/communications hierarchy, and they are attempting to make sure that those that can work together are brought in before the specification is solidified. One is the Intelligent I/O specification, which simplifies the development of driver standards, among other issues. "There is a lot of work in the labs in merging I2O with VIA," Rattner said."
Clustering Hits Parallel Realm, InternetWeek, Dec. 22, 1997
techweb.com
Excerpt: "Likewise, the VIA standard is designed to complement I20, a proposed interface for storage devices designed to eliminate operating-system-specific device drivers. I2O applies only to the PCI bus standard, which operates at 512 megabytes per second at a maximum distance of 8 inches. VIA technology can link networks of storage devices at longer distances, Shults said." |
