BusNet [Force Computers, Inc.]

Specialized Network Applications

BusNet

Force Computers, Inc.

BusNet enables multiple CPU boards (and/or intelligent controller boards)to communicate acrossthe backplane as if it were an Ethernet network. This allows systemconfigurations consisting of UNIX, real-time or mixed UNIX/real-timecomputing nodes within one single chassis. The communication betweenbetween the different computing nodes can easily be set up based uponstandard networking mechanisms. Therefore, the system/software engineerdoes not need to understand the system bus architecture (e.g. VMEbus) indetail. The only requirement is an understanding of the communicationmechanisms available in networks (e.g. Sockets, Streams). Thecommunication across the bus can then simply be achieved by assigningnet- work node numbers (e.g. Internet addresses) to the different nodes.From a user software point of view, there is no difference between acommunication across the Ethernet or the VMEbus using BusNet. The wholesuite of higher level protocols and utilities is instantly availablewithin the system across its backplane.BusNet can be viewed as a replacement of the bottom layers of thestandard ISO/OSI communi- cation stack. Instead of running the higherlayers of the communication stack on top of an Ethernet driver, they areexecuted on top of the BusNet driver.This concept of replacing only the low-level hardware driver with anotherpiece of software ensures that a transparent connection to an Ethernet isavailable. The BusNet specification was written such that there are nolimitations in terms of networking capabilities. Any software previouslyrunning across Ethernet can now run across the backplane bus.Some examples:

Cross 'development tools' which normally require a workstation

development host and a target board or system connected to the host viaEthernet can now be installed in a single (VMEbus) system chassis. Allthe remote boot, download and debug capabilities are instantly availablewithin the VMEbus environment.

The 'Network File System' (NFS) that allows multiple CPUs to share

data which physically reside on remote disks can be shared across the busbackplane. If one of the CPUs on the backplane acts as a gateway to anexternal network, data may even reside anywhere within the network, oressentially anywhere on the globe. Even a CPU without a standardEthernet interface could get across to the local or wide area network.

Network utilities such as 'PING' can be used to analyze the network

set-up, its availability and performance.

Language: C
Source Avail: No
Product Special Handling: None.
Operating Systems: Solaris Sparc 1.0,2.0,2.1,2.2,2.3,2.4

Force Computers, Inc.
2001 Logic Dr
San Jose, CA 95124-3468
USA
Phone: (408) 369-6000
(800) FORCE99
Fax: (408) 371-3992