OpenSolaris

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2006 Chairman's Award Recipients

Eric Cheng
Nicolas Droux
Carol Gayo
Darrin Johnson
Sunay Tripathi


Innovation Title

Nemo (a.k.a. GLDv3): High-Performance, Feature-Rich, and Easy-to-Use Device Network Driver Framework
(From left to right) Nicolas Droux, Sunay Tripathi, (Scott McNealy), Darrin Johnson, Carol Gayo, Eric Cheng

Innovation Description

Solaris 10 delivered a new framework for the network stack (project FireEngine) that made Solaris competitive with Linux and won the hearts and minds of our customers and developers. However, the FireEngine stack could not realize its full potential with the existing, and dated, DLPI-based device driver framework nor could it drive the next generation of network technologies (e.g. 10 Gigabit Ethernet, TCP-IP Offload, wireless, etc.). A radical new approach was needed. Enter Nemo.

The Nemo architecture provides the traditional DLPI interface to the network layer services, while providing a high-performance, direct-function, call-based interface. It virtualizes the Data Link layer of the network stack. There is no longer a one-to-one correspondence between network interfaces and devices.

This leading-edge technology not only increased SMI's intellectual property, it lays the groundwork for innovative growth in the network stack virtualization and resource control areas.

In summary, John Fowler, EVP of NSG, best summarizes the value of Nemo: "Nemo kicks ***! Delivering performance, features, and making it easier for our partners to support us is a recipe for success."