A Multiprocessor Laboratory

为了使计算机科学系的学生在并行计算系统的设计和实现方面获得经验，一个新的实验室正在建立中。学生们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单处理器，使用共享内存的多处理器，以及消息传递的多处理器系统。新课程完成了三个课程的顺序；另外两门课程是计算机体系结构的讲座课程和微型计算机系统设计的实验课程。在新的实验室里，每组两名学生使用一台基于Intel 386的IBM AT克隆机，配备CSA Transputer板、Microway i860板和逻辑分析板。ATs与实验室文件和打印服务器联网，并为安装的电路板提供I/0设备。Intel i860提供了研究并行单处理器的工具。计算机板向学生介绍消息传递的多处理器系统。一个16节点可重构的Transputer系统，由一个单独的AT托管，允许学生在一个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/接收器设计。Microway的860板每个都配备了两个链路，这将使学生能够使用Transputer开发非对称多处理系统。共享内存多处理器由现有的多个英特尔8086板组成，这些板安装在一个配备Multibus的卡笼中。

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.