Virtual Interface Architecture: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:25, 31 March 2009

Revision as of 15:07, 5 July 2009

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The [[Virtual Interface Architecture]] (VIA) is an abstract model of a user-level [[zero-copy]] [[computer network| network]], and is the basis for [[InfiniBand]] and [[iWARP]]. Created by [[Microsoft]], [[Intel]], and [[Compaq]], the original VIA sought to standardize the interface for high-performance network technologies known as System Area Networks (SANs; not to be confused with [[Storage Area Network]]s).

Networks are a shared resource. In traditional networks such as [[Ethernet]], the network is protected by the [[kernel (computer science)| kernel]], which presents a tremendous performance bottleneck when [[lag| latency]] is an issue.