Extending Unix for Scalable Computing

ccause it retrieves all instructions and data from a single memory. the highly prevalent von Neumann computer architecture has a fundamental speed limit. The speed of light limits the rale data can move from a single memory. thereby limiting the speed of the computer. Attempts to push the physi-cal limits in supercomputers reduce their efficiency: in fact. this is why a personal computer provides morc performance for the dollar than a supercomputer. Nonetheless. continued progress in science and engineering requires faster super-computers. Consequently. researchers have long investigated non-von Neumann compuler architectures. The scalable multicompuler architeclure, which uses many microprocesrors logether 10 solve a single problem. promises 10 be a solu-tion. 1In fact. scalable parallcl compulers thaI run al tera (1012) noating-poinl operations per second arc now under construction. While Tnops processor technology is well known. the scalable operating and 1/0 system technology necessary for those speeds is not. This article deseribes how Unix can be eXlended to sealable computing to permit Tnops speeds. We designe