A network multi-processor for experiments in parallelism

Although both shared memory and loosely coupled parallel computing systems are now common, many still do not offer an easy way to design, implement, and test parallel algorithms. Our system provides software tools that make possible a variety of connection structures between processes. These structures are said to form a ‘Network MultiProcessor’, which is implemented on a local area network of heterogeneous UNIX-based timesharing computers, plus a set of processor boards dedicated to an application so that accurate timing measurements can be made. We explain how these tools have been used both to aid parallel algorithm development and to explore the properties of different computer interconnection methods.