Performance of a modular interactive data analysis system (MIDAS)
Creve C. Maples, Daniel Scott Weaver, D. Logan, William Rathbun · Proceedings of the International Conference on Parallel Processing · 1983
A processor cluster, part of a multiprocessor system named MIDAS (modular interactive data analysis system), has been constructed and tested. The architecture permits considerable flexibility in organizing the processing elements for different applications. The current tests involved 8 general CPUs from commercial computers, 2 special purpose pipelined processors and a specially designed communications system. Results on a variety of programs indicated that the cluster performs from 8 to 16 times faster than a standard computer with an identical CPU. The range represents the effect of differing CPU and I/O requirements-ranging from CPU intensive to I/O intensive. A benchmark test indicated that the cluster performed at approximately 85percent the speed of the CDC 7600. Plans for further cluster enhancements and multicluster operation are discussed. 5 references.