Advanced communications in cluster systems. Challenges and Decisions

Summary form only given. The new technologies in network computing gave the basis for development of cluster technologies. The virtual interface architecture (VIA) specification gave the possibilities to design hardware infrastructures independent to the operation system and at the same time maintains high productivity network solutions at the user level. On the other hand, the scaleable coherent interface (SCI) provides extremely low latent times during network access. The combination of these technologies is the key to obtain real scalability in the development of cluster computer architectures with high productivity and at low cost. We present some solutions for the improvement of communication within a system.