HIPPI (High-Performance Parallel Interface) is a standard point-to-point protocol for transmitting large amounts of data at up to billions of bits per second over relatively short distances, mainly on local area networks (LANs). HIPPI defines interfaces at the physical layer (layer 1) and for part of the data-link control (DLC) (layer 2) levels of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communications model. The proponents of HIPPI believe that its use can make computers, interconnected storage devices, and other resources on a local area network function as though they were all within a single supercomputer. (One firm has coined the term SuperLAN for this idea.) HIPPI is considered an ideal technology for the transfer of "big data," such as data warehouse updating, audio and video streams, and data backup within a range up to 10 kilometers.

HIPPI uses a point-to-point link. The original HIPPI standard specifies data transfer at 800 Mbps with a 32-bit data bus or 1600 Mbps with a 64-bit data bus. Basic HIPPI uses 50 twisted pair copper wires with a maximum range limited to 25 meters. Data is sent in bursts of 1024 or 2048 bytes on a unidirectional channel. Full duplex can be achieved using two channels. An important part of HIPPI is the use of a network switch that will allow data to be forwarded in the network with minimal processing (the switches are called nonblocking crossbar switches ). Error detection is provided, but error correction is left to a higher protocol level. HIPPI packets can be encapsulated and sent over ATM and Fibre Channel networks.
 
HIPPI-6400 is also commercially known as GSN. Gigabyte System Network�, or GSN�, is the highest bandwidth and lowest latency interconnect standard, providing full duplex dual 6400 megabit (800 megabyte) per second of error-free, flow controlled data. The technology is ideal wherever organizations require timely movement of large amounts of information including scientific and technical computing, HDTV, data mining, transaction processing, video and film archiving, and storage management.  The proposed ANSI standard provides for interoperability with Ethernet, Fibre Channel, ATM, HIPPI-800 and other standards.