A loosely-coupled system is a multiprocessor configuration in which the processors communicate via some type of communications link which is not shared global memory. The MPCI sends the RTEMS packets across the communications link to the destination node. The characteristics of the communications link vary widely and have a significant impact on the MPCI layer. For example, the bandwidth of the communications link has an obvious impact on the maximum MPCI throughput.
The characteristics of a shared network, such as Ethernet, lend themselves to supporting an MPCI layer. These networks provide both the point-to-point and broadcast capabilities which are expected by RTEMS.
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