Q. |
What is Intelligent I/O?
|
| A. |
Intelligent I/O refers to the operation of any I/O device or subsystem
that includes an embedded processor, or some higher level controller functions
as part of the I/O device. An intelligent I/O device can carry out certain
tasks that the main CPU would normally perform, thereby reducing the amount
of overhead on the host processor. The use of an I/O processor can increase
I/O throughput and decrease overall system response time by offloading the
main CPU(s). The amount of improvement achieved depends upon system loading
and the extent to which the I/O devices participate in offload efforts.
|
| |
Q. |
What is I2O?
|
| A. |
I2O refers to an industry initiative to define a standardized
approach to intelligent I/O. The initiative has developed and is continuing
to develop an open specification for interfacing servers, operating systems
and adapters
|
| |
Q. |
When was the I2O initiative started?
|
| A. |
While there were industry discussions in 1995, the I2O
Special Interest Group (SIG) was formally constituted and announced in January
1996.
|
| |
Q. |
Who makes up the I2O SIG™?
|
| A. |
The I2O SIG is composed of representatives from over 100
companies, including server, network operating system, and adapter card
suppliers. The original steering committee members are Compaq, Hewlett-Packard,
Intel, Microsoft, NetFRAME, Novell, Symbios Logic, and 3Com. In addition,
there are more than 100 contributing and associate members of the organization
committed to supporting the standard.
|
| |
Q. |
Why is Compaq working on I2O, what are the advantages?
|
| A. |
The I2O initiative was undertaken because of concerns in
the industry about problems with potential I/O bottlenecks and driver proliferation.
I/O performance is especially critical in today's client/server networks.
A bottleneck at one portion of the system, such as I/O can slow down a network
causing performance to suffer. The Compaq approach of distributing intelligence
throughout the system architecture and controller means that I/O bottlenecks
are not an issue today in Compaq servers as it has been for others in the
industry. As systems increase in complexity and speed, I/O performance will
need to increase commensurate with customer requirements. Compaq has undertaken
development and support of the I2O initiative because we are
committed to open industry standards. We believe that our extensive experience
in developing intelligent I/O solutions can be used to help develop a unifying
standard for eliminating future potential issues.
|
| |
Q. |
Will I2O help our competitors?
|
| A. |
I2O is an open standard that is available for use throughout
the industry. I2O, while moving the industry forward as a whole,
has a rich enough technology base that will allow individual vendors to
provide whatever "value-add" they deem necessary.
|
| |
Q. |
When will I2O products be available?
|
| A. |
Compaq is closely aligned with our strategic software partners. Compaq
believes that broad industry support of I2O will become available
once it becomes native in the Network Operating Systems. See your local
Microsoft, Novell or SCO representative for scheduled inclusion in their
respective products.
|
| |
Q. |
Does this means I will have to buy a new server to take advantage
of I2O products?
|
| A. |
The Compaq line of server products is "I2O Ready"
now.
|
| |
Q. |
What does "I2O Ready" mean?
|
| A. |
The I2O SIG has established guidelines for products capable
of implementing the I2O architecture; these products will be
referred to as "I2O Ready". "I2O Ready"
refers to products designed with the capability to implement the I2O
specification and will provide a commitment date for OS compliance where
appropriate, by product type.
|
| |
Q. |
Can I mix I2O Servers and non-I2O servers?
|
| A. |
Absolutely. I2O is an internal architectural interface
that does not impact the external server operation.
|
| |
Q. |
What about PCI Hot Plug? How does I2O fit in there?
|
| A. |
At the present time, these technologies can be included in a single
server without problems. Compaq, as a founding member of the I2O
SIG Steering Committee, initiated the I2O SIG Hot Plug Committee.
This group is working to enhance the I2O Specification to make
sure that the combined operation of Hot Plug and I2O is even
easier.
|
| |
Q. |
So can I use an I2O device in my PCI Hot Plug Server?
|
| A. |
Yes, these technologies are independent and complimentary.
|
| |
Q. |
What is Peer-to-Peer and when will it be available?
|
| A. |
Peer-to-Peer allows peer cards to "talk" to one another
on the PCI bus. This lets that I/O traffic bypass the host CPU, host memory
and system bus, freeing host resources for applications processing. This
capability has been demonstrated by Compaq and Xpoint Technology to accelerate
throughput of video files. An Intranet server is a typical application.
Other potential applications include on-line storage back-up and remote
storage back-up. The class of messaging within the I2O Architecture that allows Peer-to-Peer functionality was adopted into the I2O Specification by the SIG in October 1997.
|
| |
Q. |
What about support by the major OS vendors. When will they be supporting
I2O?
|
| A. |
Please refer to your local Microsoft, Novell or SCO representative
for scheduled inclusion of I2O technology in their respective
products.
|
| |
Q. |
If I won't have OS support until later, then how can I
utilize I2O technology today?
|
| A. |
There are individual vendor specific solutions to address this issue
until broad industry and OSV support is available.
|
| |
Q. |
It sounds like I'm going need to buy a lot of individual I2O
products in order to get the benefits of this technology.
|
| A. |
At Compaq, we believe in the complete solution for our customers needs.
That includes all elements that will allow I2O to function properly
in your environment.
|
| |
Q. |
VI Architecture - How does it fit in the I2O Strategy?
|
| A. |
The Virtual Interface (VI) Architecture is an initiative to define
a standard high-speed communication interface for clustering servers and
workstations. Promoters of the VI Architecture are also active members of
the I2O SIG and are working to exploit any
synergism between I2O and VI Architecture.
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