12/7/1995
3:45pm-5:00pm
ECCR 2-26
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Parallel Programming on a Distributed System
Vrije Universiteit
There are two ways to build a parallel computer system: as a multiprocessor
(i.e., with shared memory) or as a multicomputer (i.e., no shared memory).
The former is easy to program but hard to build. The latter is easy to build
but hard to program. In this talk I will describe a hybrid system we have
designed and implemented that combines the advantages of both approaches.
Our model is based on simulating a restricted form of object-based shared
memory on a multicomputer. Shared objects are replicated in the memory of each
machine that uses them. Read operations are done locally, without requiring
network traffic. Writes can be done using a reliable broadcast algorithm if the
hardware supports broadcasting; otherwise, a point-to-point protocol is used.
The semantics presented to the application are that of sequentially consistent
operations on objects.
We have built a prototype based on the Amoeba distributed operating system, and
implemented a parallel programming language, Orca, on top of it. The talk will
discuss Amoeba, Orca, some initial applications, and the performance of the
system.
Refreshments will be served prior to the talk.
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