Virtual-ring solutions to distributed sharing of commodity-type resources

Resource sharing in distributed computer systems has long been an object of extensive research within the basic multiple source-multiple server model. According to this model, a distributed system consists of a set of stations interconnected via a communication subsystem. Each system can be viewed as both a resource pool and a user access point, with users´ activities reflected by processes residing in the station. In order to execute their tasks, processes issue requests for resources and, as the local resource pool may appear insufficient, requests may be sent to other stations via the communication subsystem. The paper focuses on the resource allocation algorithm, i.e. the segment of the system software responsible for handling issued requests and allocation of required resources. It presents some new resource allocation algorithms and discusses their performance with special emphasis on possible real-time applications