Munin: distributed shared memory based on type-specific memory coherence

J. K. Bennett, J. B. Carter, W. Zwaenepoel
1990 SIGPLAN notices  
We are developing Munin, a system that allows programs written for shared memory multiprocessors to be executed e ciently on distributed memory machines. Munin attempts to overcome the architectural limitations of shared memory machines, while maintaining their advantages in terms of ease of programming. Our system is unique in its use of loosely coherent memory, based on the partial order speci ed by a shared memory parallel program, and in its use of type-speci c memory coherence. Instead of
more » ... single memory coherence mechanism for all shared data objects, Munin employs several di erent m e c hanisms, each appropriate for a di erent class of shared data object. These type-speci c mechanisms are part of a runtime system that accepts hints from the user or the compiler to determine the coherence mechanism to be used for each object. This paper focuses on the design and use of Munin's memory coherence mechanisms, and compares our approach t o p r e v i o u s w ork in this area. y In Norse mythology, Munin (Memory) was one of two r a vens perched on Odin's shoulder. Each d a y, Munin would y across the world and bring back to Odin knowledge of man's memory. Thus, the raven Munin might be considered the world's rst distributed shared memory mechanism.
doi:10.1145/99164.99182 fatcat:gfb5o2zwhbcxjml574nfu25p3y