Overview
ISO/IEC 11518-2:2000 - Information technology - High-Performance Parallel Interface - Part 2: Framing Protocol (HIPPI-FP) defines the data framing used on the HIPPI high-performance point-to-point interface. HIPPI-FP provides an efficient framing protocol for large block transfers between data-processing equipment, enabling high-throughput interconnections between computers, high-performance displays, and intelligent block-transfer peripherals. It is a simplex, connection-less (datagram) service that supports non-word-aligned and arbitrary byte counts and passes physical-layer error notifications up to upper layers.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Framing and packet structure
- Packets are composed of one or more bursts (1–256 words per burst); bytes are packed into 32- or 64-bit words.
- Logical framing areas (Header_Area, D1_Area, D2_Area) separate control and payload for early control delivery.
- Burst and byte formats
- Supports short bursts and full bursts; byte packing rules and bit significance defined for ordered byte streams.
- Service primitives and interfaces
- HIPPI-FP defines service primitives for data transfer and control/status interaction with upper layers (e.g., FP_TRANSFER, FPSM_CONTROL, FPSM_STATUS).
- Upper-Layer Protocol (ULP) identifiers allow multiple protocols to coexist over HIPPI-FP.
- Error detection and limitations
- Error mechanisms (e.g., byte parity, LLRC, packet length checks) are specified; HIPPI-FP does not guarantee protection against errors introduced by intermediate devices when multiple HIPPI-PHs are interconnected.
- Operational behavior
- Connection control information (CCI) supports physical-layer switching; best-effort delivery semantics (datagram) are provided.
- Implementation guidance
- Annexes include state transition pseudo-code and implementation observations for burst classes and flow control.
Applications and who uses it
- System architects and hardware designers building high-bandwidth point-to-point links between servers, storage arrays, and display controllers.
- Peripheral vendors implementing intelligent block-transfer devices requiring efficient framing and early control delivery.
- Network and interconnect engineers designing physical switching or fabric components that interoperate with HIPPI logical framing.
- Software developers implementing upper-layer protocol handlers that map to HIPPI-FP service primitives.
Practical uses include high-throughput data movement in compute clusters, visualization systems, and specialized I/O subsystems where low-latency, large-block transfers are critical.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 11518-1 - HIPPI-PH (mechanical, electrical, signalling)
- ISO/IEC 11518-3 - HIPPI-LE (LLC encapsulation)
- Other parts under ISO/IEC 11518: HIPPI-IPI, HIPPI-MI, HIPPI-SC, HIPPI-ATM, HIPPI-Serial (see foreword for status)
Keywords: ISO/IEC 11518-2, HIPPI-FP, High-Performance Parallel Interface, framing protocol, data framing, HIPPI-PH, ULP, burst, packet, connection control information, datagram.
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