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	*Peer-to-peer I₂O modules simplify development of autonomous high-performance I/O applications** One of the most important benefits of I₂O* technology is the ability to send messages between multiple I/O processors, without the direct involvement of the host processor or operating system. This peer-to-peer communication enables Intel i960® I/O processors to intelligently pass transmissions among themselves across the PCI local bus and system bus, without adding additional workload to the server's central processor or operating system (OS). As a result, I/O throughput can increase substantially while leaving more CPU cycles for executing the server's applications. Software building blocks now available from Intel, working in cooperation with Xpoint Technologies, Inc., and Wind River Systems enable developers to quickly and cost-effectively implement value-added I₂O peer-to-peer communication solutions that can improve server performance and throughput. Peer-to-peer modules are available now Intel has worked with Xpoint Technologies to deliver peer-to-peer communication software development tools that optimize the performance of servers with I₂O* (intelligent I/O) technology. This effort has come to fruition with the announcement of new modules that enable rapid and cost-effective design of peer-to-peer applications for Intel i960 I/O processors. The Xpoint modules include a peer transport agent module and a peer transport module. With this announcement, all the required building blocks are now available to enable the immediate development of I₂O peer-to-peer applications. Three main software building blocks are available now to support the development of autonomous (or host CPU-independent) I/O applications for Intel i960 I/O processors. These modules include: The developer's release (Release 1.5) of the IxWorks* real-time operating system (RTOS) from Wind River Systems. Wind River Systems plans to deliver a production update to IxWorks that includes peer to peer support by July of 1998. Xpoint Technologies' Peer Services for I₂O software (including transport agent and peer transport software). After acquiring these building blocks, a developer needs just one more element-a peer operating system- service module (OSM) which can be obtained from the appropriate operating system vendor. Advantages of I₂O peer-to-peer communication While traditional I/O multitasking enables the performance of multiple I/O functions on a single processor, I₂O peer-to -peer communication offers some key advantages. Principally, peer-to-peer communication means that low-level I/O tasks can be shared across multiple I/O processors, including inter-I/O processor communications. These tasks will not involve the host CPU, freeing host resources and bandwidth for more important tasks. In addition, peer-to-peer communication enables developers to flexibly integrate different I/O cards from multiple vendors and enable direct communications between these cards. Different applications can be off-loaded to the I/O subsystem, such as storage or LAN/WAN networking, while leaving the host processor free to perform database queries and other higher-level functions. For example, the system can back up a hard disk to a tape drive, without interrupting the host, or taking the server off-line. Or the system can directly transfer large incoming Internet files from a WAN/ISDN card to a LAN card, without any host intervention. This method allows for direct Internet- to- client file transfers after the host OS has authorized the transfer. The I₂O architecture is capable of bridging I/O device classes (such as storage and networking). While these are more complex applications to implement, peer-to-peer communication could include transfers such as disk-to-LAN video streaming. Applications that stay within the bounds of a generic class such as storage or networking will be easier to implement and develop. Examples of such applications include, LAN-to-WAN, security, proxy services, Internet firewalls, disk-to-tape, and compression. Benefits for IT managers By delegating low-level processing from the host processor to multiple i960 I/O processors peer-to-peer communication supports increased server bandwidth, freeing host resources for more critical IT tasks. The I₂O peer-to-peer standard enables IT managers to build advanced peer-to-peer server applications that mix I/O cards from multiple vendors. Benefits for developers Peer-to-peer applications developed for the i960 I/O processor benefit from shorter time-to-market because all the required peer-to-peer APIs, transport-layer software and RTOS hooks are available as standard software modules, so developers do not have to develop low-level software themselves. The peer-to-peer APIs have received the approval of the I₂O SIG. Developers can also use open APIs to create applications that interface with technology available from other vendors. For example, with the implementation of peer-to-peer communication, a specialized WAN application can bridge to a LAN card from another supplier. This allows vendors to focus on their core areas of expertise, while at the same time helping to minimize development costs. The I₂O stackable driver model enables developers of a peer-to-peer application to focus on the development of advanced features in the intermediate services module (ISM). Developers can choose to implement additional value-added features in the hardware device module (HDM), or alternatively, to shorten their development cycle and, purchase standard HDM software. Peer-to-peer application development can start now* Developers have the building blocks they need to start developing I₂O peer-to-peer Peer to Peer applications now. With the purchase of i960 I/O RP processors, developers obtain licenses to the following peer-to-peer communication building blocks: The developer's release of IxWorks from Wind River Systems, including the hooks required for peer-to-implementation. Peer Services for I₂O software (peer transport agent and peer transport software) from XPoint Technologies, Inc. Developers also need to contact their operating system supplier (Microsoft, Novell or SCO) to obtain a peer OSM that will support the feature set of their application.


	* Legal Information © 1998 Intel Corporation