SCI-Based Local-Area Shared-Memory Multiprocessor

This paper describes a new interconnect standard, the Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI, ANSI/IEEE Std 1596-1992), and new developments in parallel computer architecture that become possible by this technology. For instance, using SCI, shared-memory multiprocessors can be built from standard desktop machines at low costs. The technical features and applications of SCI, novel architectural opportunities it opens, and its advantages in terms of low costs and high performance, are described. In addition, a project at our institution (LRR-TUM) is outlined that sets up, and develops software for, an SCI-based distributed shared memory multiprocessor built from standard desktop computers. Keywords: Scalable Coherent Interface (SCI), PVM, Distributed Shared Memory, Clusterd Computing 1 Motivation 1.1 Demand for low-cost parallel processing In the future, parallel processing -- besides high-bandwidth communication networks -- will play a key role in providing advanced services in the..