HIGHLAND: A graph-based parallel processing environment for heterogeneous local area networks

HIGHLAND, a UNIX-based parallel processing system for heterogeneous local area networks has been designed and implemented. By transparently hiding both the intricacies of the underlying communication protocols and the various machine dependencies, the system allows a programmer to utilize the disparate systems of the network as a single, unified multiprocessing environment. Interaction with HIGHLAND takes place at two levels: the programming level where the parallel system is encoded as a set of concurrently-executable modules or processes,’ and the configuration level where the individual modules arc interconnected to form the complete, parallel system. At the programming level, a set of control and communication routines, fashioned after those provided by the standard UNIX I/O facilities, are provided in order to create a familiar, machine independent programmer interface. At the configuration level, an interactive graphical display is used in conjunction with a set of integrated data routing utilities to provide a simple, yet powerful, mechanism for specifying complex data communication networks. One of the most imposing obstacles to the acceptance of parallel processing is the retraining it demands of the programming community. Teaching programmers to design and code for parallel systems, to think in parallel, might very well be the single most difficult task standing before us. Designed as a learning tool, HIGHLAND attempts to ease the user into parallel processing by retaining as much of the familiar UNIX environment as is possible. It allows for easy construction and configuration of parallel software and, by utilizing the computing resources of an entire network, is powerful enough to be classified as a true parallel processing system --Abstract, page iii