Network Interface Support for User-Level Buffer Management

The network interfaces of existing multicomputers and workstations require a signi cant amount of software overhead to provide protection and bu er management in order to implement messagepassing protocols. This paper advocates a physical memory mapping method in a network interface design that supports user-level bu er management. The method requires only a minimal addition to the traditional DMA-based network interface design and eliminates the need for memory bu er management in the operating system kernel.