Newsgroups: comp.parallel
From: Dave Schneider <dschneid@auc.trw.com>
Subject: TCP-IP performance using SMP
Organization: TRW Inc.
Date: 14 Sep 1995 14:38:21 GMT
Message-ID: <439eot$puq@usenet.srv.cis.pitt.edu>

Does anyone out there have information about the impact of using a
SMP machine on TCP-IP performance over a high speed network.  All
of the performance data I've found regarding achievable transfer
rates over ATM or Fibre Channel has been measured using single
processor machines.  In most of the tests the CPU seemed to be the
limiting factor.  I'm looking for data that shows what improvement 
can be achieved if the CPU bottle neck is removed by using multiple
CPUs (this assumes the network drivers can use multiple CPU).  A
configuration something like the following:

    -----------------                          ------------------
    |               |                          |                |
    |  Process 1 >  |                          |  > Process 3   |
    |  Process 2 >  |                          |  > Process 4   |
    |               |--->>--- Network --->>----|                |
    |  SMP Box 1    |                          |  SMP Box 2     |
    -----------------                          ------------------

Also, any information on the additional gain of adding a second network
connection would also be useful.

Thanks.

Dave Schneider
dschneid@auc.trw.com

