ChaosLAN: Design and Implementation of a Gigabit LAN Using Chaotic Routing

In recent years, the Chaos Project at the University of Washington has analyzed and simulated a dozen routing algorithms. Three new routing algorithms have been invented; of these, the chaotic routing algorithm (a.k.a. Chaos) has been the most successful. Although the Chaos router was developed for multicomputer routing, the project has recently directed its attention towards the application of Chaos technology to LAN switching. The present task is to implement a gigabit LAN called ChaosLAN, based on a centralized switch (hub) and high speed serial links to workstations. The switch itself is a fully-populated two-dimensional torus network of Chaos routers. The host adapter is Digital’s PCI Pamette card. To evaluate the performance of ChaosLAN, we are supporting the Global Memory System (GMS), a type of distributed virtual memory also developed at UW. We also describe an application involving real-time haptic rendering used in a surgical simulator. This report has also been published in the Proceedings of the 1997 Parallel Computer Routing and Communication Workshop (PCRCW’97), Atlanta GA, June 26-27, 1997. This work may not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part for any commercial purpose. Permission to copy in whole or in part without payment of fee is granted for nonprofit educational and research purposes provided that all such whole or partial copies include the following: a notice that such copying is by permission of Mitsubishi Electric Information Technology Center America; an acknowledgment of the authors and individual contributions to the work; and all applicable portions of the copyright notice. Copying, reproduction, or republishing for any other purpose shall require a license with payment of fee to Mitsubishi Electric Information Technology Center America. All rights reserved. Copyright c Mitsubishi Electric Information Technology Center America, 1997 201 Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 1. First printing, July 8, 1997