When devices are moving data into memory, the IBM SynchroStream controller holds the data, and writes it to memory when it is most efficient to do so. Since devices are not moving data to and from memory directly, but to the SynchroStream controller, each device has its own logical path to memory. Devices do not have to wait for other slower devices. The SynchroStream engine operates by using a spinning valve that continuously forms different connections between pipes. Once a connection is made, data is streamed to the Micro Channel or processor at the highest possible rates.
Parallel paths allow data to stream to multiple sources at the same time.
The pipes even continue to stream after the connection is changed. Data is always streaming to the Micro Channel and processor, allowing them to operate at full bandwidth. IBM used the latest in chip design technology to integrate all SynchroStream functions on a single chip, improving performance dramatically by not having to move data between chips. The IBM SynchroStream controller uses a single RISC-like chip architecture to move data fast and efficiently between memory and requesting devices, as shown in Figure 8. The IBM SynchroStream controller is located on the Pentium processor complexes, featured in the Server 95 and Server 95 Array systems.