A global plan policy for coherent co-operation in distributed dynamic load balancing algorithms
M. Kara · Distributed Systems Engineering · 1995
Distributed-controlled dynamic load balancing algorithms are known to have several advantages over centralised algorithms such as scalability, and fault tolerance. Distributed implies that the control is decentralised and that a copy of the algorithm (called a scheduler) is replicated on each host of the network. However, distributed control also contributes to the lack of global goals and lack of coherence. This paper presents a new algorithm called DGP (Decentralised Global Plans) that addresses the problem of coherence and coordination in distributed dynamic load balancing algorithms. The DGP algorithm is based on a strategy called Global Plans (GP), and aims at maintaining all computational loads of a distributed system within a band called D. The rationale for the design of DGP is to allow each scheduler to consider the actions of its peer schedulers. With this level of coordination, the schedulers can act more as a coherent team. This new approach first explicitly specifies a glo...