Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA)
Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) is a technology that allows computers in a network to exchange data in main memory without involving the
processor,
cache, or operating system of either computer. Like locally-based Direct Memory Access (
DMA), RDMA improves
throughput
and
performance because it frees up resources. RDMA also facilitates a faster
data transfer rate.
RDMA implements a transport protocol in the network interface card (NIC) hardware and supports a feature called zero-copy networking. Zero-copy networking makes it possible to read data directly from the main memory of one computer and write that data directly to the main memory of the other computer. RDMA has proven useful in applications that involve high-speed clusters and data center networks. Future versions of Microsoft Windows are expected to support RDMA technology.
This was last updated in June 2005
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