Spatially Aware Decentralized Computing
Ben Vandiver, Jeremy B. Brown, Tom Knight · 2001
Andrew “bunnie” Huang, Ben Vandiver, Jeremy Brown, J.P. Grossman and Tom Knight The Q-Machine is a spatially aware, decentralized mas-sively parallel computer system that achieves latency reduction (as opposed to latency hiding) and enhanced fault tolerance through a virtual machine interface. Without obscuring the high-level architecture, details of the machinethese issues with a single mechanism, the viare hidden by the virtual machine interface, so that objects and threads can be efficiently migrated to reduce latency and to avoid congested or failing nodes. It also features enhanced synchronization decoupling, software pipelining and conges-tion tolerance through architecturally visible queues. The architecture is structured so that it is easy for compilers to perform standard optimizations and is easy for cleanly im-plemented object-oriented languages such as Java to target. The Q-Machine also features a hybrid fat-tree/multibutterfly network topology designed for wave-propagation limited performance and good fault tolerance. Finally, the architecture is aimed at implementation on cost-effective, readily available CMOS foundry processes with a minimum amount of risky full-custom design. 32 KB