Trends in Shared Memory Multiprocessing

  • Authors:
  • Per Stenström;Erik Hagersten;David J. Lilja;Margaret Martonosi;Madan Venugopal

  • Affiliations:
  • -;-;-;-;-

  • Venue:
  • Computer
  • Year:
  • 1997

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Abstract

Shared memory multiprocessing is recognized by industry as a key technology for domains such as decision support systems and multimedia processing. Like uniprocessors, shared memory multiprocessors are often built from high-performance microprocessors, so there is a clear transition path from uniprocessor to multiprocessor program implementations. The challenge lies in making this transition as smooth as possible, both in performance and the programming required to achieve it. The first step is to examine the current use of shared memory multiprocessing and arrive at intelligent projections of future use. The second step is to begin filling gaps in programming models and architectures for shared memory multiprocessing. The third step-possibly taken concurrently with the second-is to make the development of parallel software more feasible. Perhaps the greatest challenge is to develop new techniques in the face of a moving hardware target. The community must somehow improve the software and keep pace with constant increases in integration level, on-chip parallelism, and memory hierarchy complexity.