Extending distributed shared memory to heterogeneous environments

The problems of building a distributed shared memory system on a network of heterogeneous machines are discussed. An existing algorithm (due to K. Li, 1986) that implements distributed shared memory is extended to a heterogeneous environment. An implementation that runs on Sun and DEC Firefly multiprocessor workstations connected by Ethernet is described. Related implementation and performance issues are discussed. On the basis of measurements of the applications ported to the system, it is concluded that heterogeneous distributed shared memory is not only feasible but can also be compared in performance to its homogeneous counterpart