The alchemy model: a model for homogeneous and heterogeneous distributed computing system

ABSTRACT

The performance of any computing system is seriously affected by the performance of the resident operating system. Distributed computing systems are no different. There have been many successful attempts at harnessing the full potential offered by distributed computing's inherent flexibility. However by far the majority of these implementations have been made on homogeneous configurations; the complexity implicit in connecting a number of heterogeneous sub-systems into a single, unified distributed computing system, has precluded their realisation. The system designer has to compare the many characteristics of a design before deciding upon the final solution. In doing so the designer needs a framework, or model, upon which he can assess alternative strategies. Most of the models to date have been based upon the layered approach which simplfies the software strucutre but it cannot reflect the control infrastructure which is necessary to effect such facilities as reconfigurability, resilience. etc.

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INDEX TERMS

Classification:
  D. Software
  D.4 OPERATING SYSTEMS
      D.4.7 Organization and Design
          Subjects: Distributed systems

General Terms:
Design