Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus are described for improving the utilization of a parallel computer by allocating the resources of the parallel computer among a large number of users. A parallel computer is subdivided among a large number of users to meet the requirements of a multiplicity of databases and programs that are run simultaneously on the computer. This is accomplished by device(s) for dividing the parallel computer into a plurality of processor arrays, each of which can be used independently of the others. This division is made dynamically in the sense that the division can readily be altered and indeed in a time sharing environment may be altered between two successive time slots of the frame. Further, the parallel computer is organized so as to permit the simulation of additional parallel processors by each physical processor in the array and to provide for communication among the simulated parallel processors. Device(s) are also provided for storing virtual processors in virtual memory. As a result of this design, it is possible to build a parallel computer with a number of physical processors on the order of 1,000,000 and a number of virtual processors on the order of 1,000,000,000,000. Moreover, since the computer can be dynamically reconfigured into a plurality of independent processor arrays, a device this size can be shared by a large number of users with each user operating on only a portion of the entire computer having a capacity appropriate for the problem then being addressed.

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First Claim