A Multiprocessor Laboratory

正在建立一个新的实验室，使计算机科学系能够向其专业的学生提供设计和实施并行计算系统的经验。学生使用三种类型的并行系统：具有多个执行单元的广泛流水线的单处理器、使用共享内存的多处理器和消息传递多处理器系统。新课程包括三门课程；另外两门课程是计算机体系结构讲座课程和微型计算机系统设计实验室课程。在新的实验室中，每组两名学生使用基于Intel 386的IBM AT克隆，配备了CSA Transputer板、MicroWay i860板和逻辑分析器板。AT与实验室文件和打印服务器联网，并为安装的主板提供I/O设施。Intel i860提供了研究并行单处理器的工具。Transputer板向学生介绍消息传递多处理器系统。一个16节点可重构的Transputer系统，由一个单独的AT托管，允许学生在真正的多处理器上实现他们开发的软件，并使他们能够研究链路操作和链路驱动器/接收器设计。MicroWay的860块电路板每个都配备了两个链接，这将使学生能够利用Transputer开发不对称的多处理系统。共享内存多处理器由多个现有的Intel 8086主板组成，这些主板安装在配备多总线的卡框中。

A new Laboratory is being created to enable the Computer Science Department to offer its majors experience in the design and implementation of parallel computing systems. The students work with three types of parallel systems: extensively pipelined uniprocessors with multiple execution units, multiprocessors using shared memory, and message passing multiprocessor systems. The new course completes a sequence of three courses; the other two courses are a lecture course in computer architecture, and a laboratory course in microcomputer systems design. In the new laboratory each group of two students works with an Intel 386 based IBM AT clone equipped with a CSA Transputer board, a Microway i860 board, and a logic analyzer board. The ATs are networked to a laboratory file and print server, and furnish I/0 facilities to the installed boards. The Intel i860 provides the vehicle for investigating parallel uniprocessors. The Transputer board introduces students to message passing multiprocessor systems. A 16 node reconfigurable Transputer system, hosted by a separate AT, permits the students to implement on a real multiprocessor the software that they have developed, and enables them to investigate the link operation and link driver/receiver design. Microway's 860 boards are each equipped with two links which will enable the student to develop an asymmetric multiprocessing system with the Transputer. Shared memory multiprocessors are made up of existing multiple Intel 8086 boards housed in a Multibus equipped card cage.