A concurrent network architecture for cost-efficient parallel computing using workstation clusters

Abstract

Within the past few years, workstation clusters have gained an increasing importance as platforms for parallel high-performance simulation problems. In contrast to the specialized and cost-intensive interconnection network of distributed memory multiprocessor systems, workstation clusters utilize local area networks (LANs) and common communication protocols. Therefore, the cost-efficiency of workstation clusters for parallel tasks is high while the communication performance is limited compared to parallel computer systems. To improve the communication performance of clusters, new protocols can be applied as well as specialized interconnection networks. On one hand, these solutions decrease the cost-efficiency of clusters, while on the other hand the performance of local area networks is increasing because of new technologies such as FastEthernet, GigaEthernet or ATM. In this contribution, we propose increasing the communication performance of clusters through the concurrent network architecture (CNA) with multi-channel communication systems. Through the use of parallel and independent LANs, the communication performance of a cluster can be improved while maintaining the cost-efficiency of the wide-spread LAN technology and protocols. This paper gives an overview of the CNA, the requirements of an implementation and a performance evaluation of a CNA workstation cluster.