• Summary
• Related Documents
  • Active Bibliography
  • Co-citation
• Version History

Abstract:

Current advances in processor technology, networking technology, and software tools have made high-performance distributed computing (HPDC) over local as well as wide area networks promising. However, these advances can not be exploited fully unless some networking and communication issues are resolved. Emerging ATM technology may resolve many of the existing network limitations. The current implementation of communication software represents another problem that demands further research. In this paper, we present an approach to develop an HPDC environment that will harness the computing potential of existing, cost-effective heterogeneous computers and ATM networks. This environment supports two modes of operations: Normal Speed Mode, where standard transport protocols are used, and High-Speed Mode, which utilizes a light-weight communications protocol. In this environment, we develop a message passing interface that implements efficiently the commands/primitives supported by most software tools for parallel and distributed computing (e.g, PVM, EXPRESS, ISIS, etc.). The message passing interface utilizes the services provided by a high-speed communications protocol (HCP) that itself runs over the ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL). We also present the architecture of the NYNET wide area ATM network that will serve as the experimental platform for development of the HPDC software and communications protocols. Applications that will be developed on top of the HPDC environment over the NYNET testbed will also be discussed.

Citations