This paper describes an  implementation of the LAM MPI suite  on the top of
the Virtual Interface Architecture.

The Virtual Interface  Architecture (VIA) is an  emerging standard designed
by Int  el, Microsoft, and Compaq  aimed at the reduction  of communication
latency for cluster of workstations or system area networks.

Thanks to  M-VIA, a Linux  software module  that emulates VIA  and provides
programm  ers  of  VIA  APIs,  it  has been  possible  to  develop  an  MPI
implementation even in  absen ce of a hardware  VIA interface. Nonetheless,
M-VIA module high optimization as well as VIA protocol simplicity permitted
a reduction of latency time with respect  to the use of the TCP/IP protocol
on Ethernet network interfaces.