ATM as a memory interconnect in a Desk Area Network

Abstract

ATM has been successfully used in Wide Area Networks (WAN) and Local Area Networks (LAN). A possible next step in this evolution is to use ATM for memory interconnect. This paper discusses how ATM can fulfill the functional and performance requirements in a memory interconnect, and the implications this will have for external ATM communication. We conclude that ATM can be used as a memory interconnect. It can meet the throughput requirements but will have problems with the latency requirements for the transfer of small cache lines. The fixed 48 byte payload in ATM results in inefficient use of bandwidth and increased latency. The ATM and the ATM Adaptation Layers do not have sufficient functionality and must be extended to meet memory interconnect requirements. Using ATM internally in the memory interconnect has a limited synergy effect when the system is connected to an ATM based LAN or WAN.