Cascade is a multi-processor real-time data-acquisition system for HEP experiments developed at CERN by the ECP-DS group. Configurations supported today include VMEbus processors running OS-9 and UNIX workstations. The CASCADE data acquisition processes, called stages communicate via links, at present VICbus between VME crates and Ethernet between VMEbus processors and workstations. Work is in progress to introduce new inter-stage links based on the Fast Data Link between VME crates and on SCI for data exchange between SUN stations. The paper gives a short description of the architecture of CASCADE with emphasis on the link aspects. The implementation and current status of the inter-stage links based on VICbus, Ethernet, FDI, and SCI will be described and results on the performances presented
