Dynamic Load Distribution for Parallel Applications

This book is a state-of-the-art report on load distribution for parallel applications. Compute intensive applications are parallelized with the motivation to speed up program run time. One of the most challenging problems with parallel applications is the load distribution task. Application objects such as processes and data structures have to be distributed so that given system resources are used efficiently. The book provides a comprehensive overview on state-of-the-art load distribution techniques and systems. It is particularly intended for developers of parallel applications that want to obtain a survey in the field. It will also prove useful to both students and teachers of parallel programming courses and to those carrying out detailed research in the field. Contents 1 Introduction 2 Survey and Classifications / General Classification of Local Distribution / Classification and Survey of Strategies / Classification of Load Models / Migration Mechanisms / Exemplary Load Distribution Concepts: A Classification 3 Systems - Consistent Checkpointing / Load Distribution Strategies of the Distributed Thread Kernel DTK / Economic-Based Dynamic Load Distribution In Large Workstation Networks / ALDY - an Adaptive Load Distribution System 4 Applications / A Middleware-Based Architecture for Load Management / Cooperative Parallel Automated Theorem Proving / Automatic Test Pattern Generation / MPSIM - Parallel Event Driven Simulation of Logic Circuits by Time Warp 5 Summary

Klappentext

Dynamic load distribution for parallel applications is one of the most important topics of research in the area of parallel and distributed systems. The German Science Foundation has been support­ ing research in this area by funding SFB 342 "Methods and Tools for the efficient Use of Parallel Systems" and GK "Cooperation and Resource-Management in Distributed Systems" since 1990 and 1995 respectively. This manuscript is the result of research in both projects done jointly in the department for informatics and electrical engineering of Technische Universitlit Munchen as well as by the industrial partner Corporate Research of Siemens AG, Munich. First, surveys and classifications of existing models and implementations are given. Based on this comprehensive framework, several systems for checkpointing, a distributed thread kernel, load distribution in large workstation networks, and adaptive load distribution systems have been implemented and tested. The structure and results obtained with such systems are also covered. Finally a middleware -based architecture and three application areas are used to test the systems described beforehand. Understanding the needs of large distributed applications and the efficient use of heterogenous networked resources is most important to make good use of the distributed computing power as it is available worldwide in the internet and also on a private basis in intranets. This manuscript will help the reader to understand the questions and can serve as a basis for future research and development as well as in training for distributed applications.

Inhalt
1 Introduction.- 2 Surveys and Classifications.- 3 Systems.- 4 Applications.- 5 Summary.- About the Authors.