Message-Signaled Interrupts
Message-Signaled Interrupts ( MSI ) are a type of interrupt available in computer systems with PCI 2.2 and higher. The MSI-compatible devices do not request treatment via an electronic signal, but via messages that are written to a specific address via the PCI bus.
Important advantages of this type of interrupt are:
- Devices can generate different interrupts (messages)
- Interrupt sharing is avoided (no "fixed" number as with interrupt signal lines)
- No confirmation, therefore faster