DIRECT - a multiprocessor organization for supporting relational data base management systems

ABSTRACT

The design of DIRECT, a multiprocessor organization for supporting relational data base management systems is presented. DIRECT has a MIMD (multiple instruction stream, multiple data stream) architecture. It can simultaneously support both intra-query and inter-query concurrency. The number of processors assigned to a query is dynamically determined by the priority of the query and the size of the relations it references. The size of a relation is not limited to that of the associative memory as in some previous data base machines. Concurrent updates are controlled through address translation tables which are maintained by a controlling processor. DIRECT is being implemented using LSI-11/03 microprocessors and CCD memories which are searched in an associative manner. A novel cross-point switch is used to connect the LSI-11 processors to the CCD memories. While cross-point switches have proven too expensive for use in general purpose parallel processors, their application in DIRECT demonstrates that these switches can be successfully used in specialized applications.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.1 PROCESSOR ARCHITECTURES
      C.1.2 Multiple Data Stream Architectures (Multiprocessors)
          Subjects: Multiple-instruction-stream, multiple-data-stream processors (MIMD)

Additional Classification:
  B. Hardware
  B.3 MEMORY STRUCTURES
      B.3.2 Design Styles
          Subjects: Associative memories

  H. Information Systems
  H.2 DATABASE MANAGEMENT
      H.2.4 Systems
          Subjects: Relational databases

General Terms:
Design, Management