High-performance distributed shared memory substrate for workstation clusters

Abstract

In order to exploit the latest advances in hardware technology, application developers need high-performance, easy-to-use cooperation tools that spun interconnections of standard hardware. Distributed shared memory has been proposed as such a cooperation tool, but performance problems have limited its usefulness. This paper argues that a new approach to distributed shared memory implementation can make it an effective tool in its own right and a foundation for other tools. It describes a prototype implementation that allows sharing of memory resources in workstation cluster. The prototype is based on an innovative, low-overhead messaging protocol which utilizes the high bandwidth of the underlying hardware, while adding very little latency overhead. Finally, the interface exported by this software is designed to function effectively as a substrate for a variety of cooperation tools.<>