PACHA: Parallel Scalable Computers for High-performance Applications

• Forschungsstelle: EU FRP
• Projektnummer: 95.0633-1
• Projekttitel Englisch: PACHA: Parallel Scalable Computers for High-performance Applications

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

High performance computing; parallel programming; client-server computing; middleware; COBRA; ALWAN

Alternative Projektnummern (Englisch)

EU project number: EP 21.028

Forschungsprogramme (Englisch)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 1.3 Telematic systems

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

See abstract

Partner und Internationale Organisationen (Englisch)

Spacebel Informatique, Telmat Informatique, Dolphin, Interconnect Solutions, INRIA Rennes, Intecs Sistemi, Aerospatiale, Fraunhofer IGD

Abstract (Englisch)

The goal of the PACHA project has been the seamless integration of high performance computing systems into standard computer environments. Based on the CORBA middleware approach and a high-performant SCI interconnect, a PC-based Pacha multiprocessor (Scali machine) has been built and used within the project.
The work package of Uni Basel has explored the potential of the client - server computing paradigm applied to high-performance processing. We have achieved the following results within three topic area:
1. High-Performance Client Server Computing (HPCS): We have developed an architectural model how to interface client software running on a workstation with parallel services running on a multiprocessor. The prototype software uses ALWAN (a high-level parallel language) and different CORBA implementations (ORBIX and ORBSCI).
· Gerald Pretot: HPCS: Client-Server Support for High Performance Computing. PhD Thesis Uni Basel, Aachen: Shaker, 1999.
2. Development Environment: The ALWAN library has been implemented on message passing systems (PVM, MPI, ScaMPI on Pacha) and VSM systems (Convex Exemplar).
· Guido Hächler: ALWAN --- Design and Implementation of a Parallel Coordination Language. PhD Thesis Uni Basel. ISBN 3 7281 2595 4, Zurich: vdf, 1998.
3. Applications: Different application programs (CFD, LIBSIG) have been adapted. In close cooperation with a KTI project (grant 3106.1) of the Kantonsspital Basel, a volume rendering application has been developed and implemented on the Pacha platform.
· Birgit Westermann: Parallel Volume Rendering for Image-Guided Surgery. PhD Thesis Uni Basel. ISBN 3 8265 4895 7, Aachen Shaker, 1999.
As a project follow-up we will investigate on how to transfer the results achieved to a HPC Java environment. These studies are part of another PhD project (R. Frank).
All software developed is publicly available.
For further information contact burkhart @ ifi.unibas.ch

Datenbankreferenzen (Englisch)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 95.0633-1