The architecture and implementation of MEMNET: a high--speed shared-memory computer communication network
G. Delp · 1988
A major limitation of current distributed system technology is that the overhead associated with the normal input/output paradigm of interconnection severely affects the system performance. This research has taken a new perspective on the interconnection problem based on a memory extension paradigm. Evidence to date demonstrates that the processor overhead is greatly reduced and significant additional functionality is gained. Memnet is a computer architecture in which the local network appears as memory in the physical address space of each processor on the network. Local area networking and distributed system support are two potential applications of this architecture. The Memnet principles of computer/communication interconnection are extendable to wide-area, high-speed, low-latency processor interconnection. This dissertation includes a survey of interprocess communication schemes and shared memory architectures. A description of the Memnet architecture and implementation is followed by an analysis of the behavior of the Memnet architecture over a wide range of uses. The state machines and schematics of the experimental implementation are included as appendices. Analytic and experimental results confirm the viability of distributed shared memory supported in hardware at the memory controller level. For many applications, the impact of distributing the memory resource is under 10% of the undistributed performance.