A protocol processing architecture for networked multimedia computers

ABSTRACT

Multimedia workstation architectures differ from current architectures in these respects --- they have multiple specialized processing units, a high speed I/O interconnect mechanism, a high speed broadband network interface and a real-time multitasking operating system (OS) that provides QoS guarantees. These systems will primarily be used to run distributed applications that require high network throughput and predictable delay and delay jitter for real-time traffic. We argue the need for a different protocol organization and processing architecture in order to achieve this. We show how the emerging hardware architecture and OS structures favor a "decentralized protocol processing" approach, that takes advantage of the data delivery mechanism provided by the hardware to improve in-band (protocol data) processing, and the sophisticated OS mechanisms based on communicating objects to improve the out-of band (control) processing. We discuss the need for providing end-to-end QoS guarantees for applications and discuss how it can be naturally incorporated in the proposed architecture.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.4 Distributed Systems
          Subjects: Network operating systems

  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)

General Terms:
Design, Management