Gemini: an optical interconnection network for parallel processing

Author

Chamberlain, Roger D. ; Franklin, Mark A. ; Baw, Ch´ng Shi

Author_Institution

Comput. & Commun. Res. Center, Washington Univ., St. Louis, MO, USA

Volume

13

Issue

10

fYear

2002

fDate

10/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1038

Lastpage

1055

Abstract

The Gemini interconnect is a dual technology (optical and electrical) interconnection network designed for use in tightly-coupled multicomputer systems. It consists of a circuit-switched optical data path in parallel with a packet-switched electrical control/data path. The optical path is used for transmission of long data messages and the electrical path is used for switch control and transmission of short data messages. The paper describes the architecture of the interconnection network and related communications protocols. Fairness issues associated with network operation are addressed and a discrete-event simulation model of the entire system is described. Network performance characteristics derived from the simulation model are presented. The results show significant performance benefits when using virtual output queuing and quantify the tradeoffs between throughput and fairness in the system

Keywords

circuit switching; computer networks; discrete event simulation; integrated optoelectronics; multiprocessor interconnection networks; optical interconnections; optical switches; packet switching; performance evaluation; protocols; queueing theory; Gemini; circuit-switched optical data path; discrete-event simulation model; dual technology; electrical path; fair scheduling protocols; long data messages; multiprocessor interconnection networks; network performance characteristics; optical interconnection network; packet-switched path; parallel processing; performance evaluation; short data messages; switch control; tightly-coupled multicomputer systems; virtual output queuing; Communication system control; Integrated circuit interconnections; Multiprocessor interconnection networks; Optical control; Optical design; Optical fiber networks; Optical interconnections; Optical packet switching; Optical switches; Parallel processing;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Parallel and Distributed Systems, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1045-9219

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TPDS.2002.1041880

Filename

1041880