A survey of commercial parallel processors

Abstract

This paper compares eight commercial parallel processors along several dimensions. The processors include four shared-bus multiprocessors (the Encore Multimax, the Sequent Balance system, the Alliant FX series, and the ELXSI System 6400) and four network multiprocessors (the BBN Butterfly, the NCUBE, the Intel iPSC/2, and the FPS T Series). The paper contrasts the computers from the standpoint of interconnection structures, memory configurations, and interprocessor communication. Also, the shared-bus multiprocessors are compared in terms of cache-coherence strategies, and the network multiprocessors are compared in terms of node structure. Where possible, price and performance information has been included. The reader is cautioned that this survey is based largely on information submitted by manufacturers; the authors have not performed any independent evaluation.