Massively parallel
In computing, massively parallel refers to the use of a large number of processors (or separate computers) to perform a set of coordinated computations in parallel (simultaneously).
In one approach, e.g., in grid computing the processing power of a large number of computers in distributed, diverse administrative domains, is opportunistically used whenever a computer is available.[1] An example is BOINC, a volunteer-based, opportunistic grid system, whereby the grid provides power only on a best effort basis.[2]
In another approach, a large number of processors are used in close proximity to each other, e.g., in a computer cluster. In such a centralized system the speed and flexibility of the interconnect becomes very important, and modern supercomputers have used various approaches ranging from enhanced Infiniband systems to three-dimensional torus interconnects.[3]
The term also applies to massively parallel processor arrays (MPPAs), a type of integrated circuit with an array of hundreds or thousands of central processing units (CPUs) and Random Access Memory (RAM) banks. These processors pass work to one another through a reconfigurable interconnect of channels. By harnessing a large number of processors working in parallel, an MPPA chip can accomplish more demanding tasks than conventional chips.[citation needed] MPPAs are based on a software parallel programming model for developing high-performance embedded system applications.
Goodyear MPP was an early implementation of a massively parallel computer architecture. MPP architectures are the second most common supercomputer implementations after clusters, as of November 2013.[4]
See also
- Multiprocessing
- Parallel computing
- Process oriented programming
- Shared nothing architecture (SN)
- Symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)
- Connection Machine
- Cellular automaton
- CUDA framework
References
- ^ Grid computing: experiment management, tool integration, and scientific workflows by Radu Prodan, Thomas Fahringer 2007 ISBN 3-540-69261-4 pages 1–4
- ^ Parallel and Distributed Computational Intelligence by Francisco Fernández de Vega 2010 ISBN 3-642-10674-9 pages 65–68
- ^ Knight, Will: "IBM creates world's most powerful computer", NewScientist.com news service, June 2007
- ^ http://s.top500.org/static/lists/2013/11/TOP500_201311_Poster.png
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