An introduction to the multistage cube family of interconnection networks

Abstract

The interconnection network in large-scale parallel/distributed supercomputer systems is a crucial component. Three networks are overviewed here. Multistage cube networks represent an important family of networks, which includes the omega, n-cube, multistage shuffle-exchange, delta, baseline, SW-banyan, and Generalized Cube. This family has been used or proposed for use in such systems as staran, pasm, Ultracomputer, the BBN Butterfly, the IBM RP3, and data-flow machines. The multistage cube topology, distributed routing control, and ability to be partitioned into independent subnetworks are examined. The Extra Stage Cube (ESC), a single-fault-tolerant multistage cube network, is described. The structure, control, and partitionability of the ESC, and how it functions when multiple faults occur, are presented. The Dynamic Redundancy (DR) network, a fault-tolerant multistage cube network that supports the incorporation of spare processors for fault tolerance, is discussed. Its structure, control, and partitionability into single-fault-tolerant subnetworks are explained.