We are exploring system designs in which applications can compute directly on the network interface. Several network interfaces, for example MYRINET, and the FORE PCI ATM interface, as well as devices for the new I2O architecture, provide the infrastructure necessary to compute on the network interface itself. We intend to apply the SPIN technology (use of a safe language, extensible interfaces, and resource management) to the network interface, thereby allowing applications to customize their interaction with the network to improve both performance and reliability.

We are in the process of developing a high speed I2O LAN device using Myricom's myrinet network interface and Windows NT. On the network interface side we are developing an extensible runtime based on ideas from the SPIN operating system, which will allow applications to define custom I2O protocols that execute directly on the network interface. On the host side we are using the I2O Operating System Service Module for Windows NT that Microsoft provides for free to I2O SIG members.

Marc E. Fiuczynski
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
University of Washington
Box 352350
Seattle, WA 98195
mef@cs.washington.edu
www.cs.washington.edu/homes/mef
206-685-4087