Efficient broadcast in a heterogeneous network of workstations using two sub-networks

This paper presents efficient algorithms for broadcasting on heterogeneous networks of workstations (HNOW) by two partitioned sub-networks. In an HNOW, many multiple speed types of workstations can have different send and receive overheads. Previous research presented that routing by two sub-networks in a NOW can significantly increase system´s performance according to Lin et al. (2001). Similarly, EBS and VBBS (Lin, 2003) designed by Chao and using the concept of fastest nodes first can be executed in O(nlog(n)) time, where n is the number of workstations. This paper proposes two schemes TWO-EBS and TWO-VBBS for broadcasting in an HNOW. These two schemes divide an HNOW into two sub-networks that are routed concurrently and combine EBS and VBBS to broadcast in an HNOW. Based on simulation results, TWO-VBBS outperforms all other schemes presented before.