Shared memory computing on SP2: JIAJIA approach

ABSTRACT

Distributed shared memory (DSM) is a useful abstraction not only for deploying networks of workstations as a parallel multicomputer but also for increasing the usability of non-uniform memory access multicomputers. It provides an alternative programming model for distributed memory computers. In this paper, we present empirical evaluation of JIAJIA, a software DSM system, on an IBM SP2 cluster. We also discuss the performance of a suite of six widely different applications running under this software and compare them with CVM, another software DSM system. We show that these applications achieve moderate to good speedups and argue that shared memory computing is an attractive alternative to message passing on high performance computer systems, such as SP2 clusters.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  B. Hardware
  B.3 MEMORY STRUCTURES
      B.3.2 Design Styles
          Subjects: Shared memory

Additional Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.1 PROCESSOR ARCHITECTURES
      C.1.4 Parallel Architectures
          Subjects: Distributed architectures
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.4 Distributed Systems
          Subjects: Distributed applications
  C.4 PERFORMANCE OF SYSTEMS
      Subjects: Design studies

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Experimentation, Measurement, Performance, Theory