Distribution of Linda across a network of workstations

The Linda programming language provides an architecturally independent paradigm for writing parallel programs. By designing and implementing Linda on a network of stand alone workstations a scalable multicomputer can be constructed from existing equipment. This thesis presents the design, implementation and testing of a distributable Linda kernel and communications subsystem providing a framework for full distribution of Linda on a network of workstations. Following a presentation of the Linda language, the kernel’s design and rationale are presented. The design provides for interprocess communications by implementing a protocol on top of the Unix socket facility. Choosing sockets as the interprocess communications medium has the advantage of wide portability. However, a design critique is presented which addresses several disadvantages of the socket based communications model. Considerable attention is given to quantifying the effectiveness of this design in comparison to a shared memory, non-distributable design from Yale University. A thorough investigation into the source of particular observed phenomena is presented which leads to an improvement in wall time performance of an order of magnitude.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Computer Science

Department dc:contributor.department

Computer Science

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

1993

Author dc:creator

• Schumann, Charles N.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

etd-11102009-020239

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/45618