Parallel and Distributed Computing Laboratory

位于洛杉矶的加州州立大学数学与计算机科学系希望建立一个并行计算环境。这将通过将SUN SPARC站（作为主要服务器）连接到现有的25台IBM兼容微型计算机的实验室来完成，所有这些计算机都将通过网络连接起来。SUN SPARC站是一个多处理器计算机，最初有四个处理器，但是可以升级到六个处理器。该服务器将专门用于并行和分布式计算课程的教学，使用共享内存和消息传递接口架构。这些体系结构已经成为各种并行体系结构中最可行的。并行和分布式处理现在被认为是计算机科学的一个重要领域，能够解决迄今为止被认为不可能实时解决的具有数十万变量的问题。目前，我们只提供一个入门课程并行计算与最小的计算设备。对于大多数学生来说，如果没有在课堂材料之后进行实验练习，使概念具体化，并帮助他们成功地吸收材料，那么并行和分布式编程概念仍然是抽象的，难以理解。要购买的硬件和软件将缓解这个问题。此外，有了这样的实验室设置，我们将来也可以教授并行计算的其他课程。通过这种实践方法获得的经验不仅对计算机科学专业的学生有益，也会吸引其他学科的学生，如数学、物理科学和工程。

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at California State University, Los Angeles, wishes to establish a parallel computing environment. This will be accomplished by connecting a SUN SPARC station (as the main server) to an existing laboratory of 25 IBM compatible microcomputers, all to be connected by a network. The SUN SPARC station is a multiprocessor computer initially with four processors, but can be upgraded to six processors. The server will be dedicated to the teaching of courses in parallel and distributed computing, using shared memory and message passing interface architectures. These architectures have emerged as the most viable of various parallel architectures. Parallel and Distributed processing is now recognized as an important area in computer sciences, enabling the solution of problems with hundreds of thousands of variables, hitherto considered impossible to solve in real time. At present we offer only an introductory course parallel computing with minimal computing facility. For most students, parallel and distributed programming concepts remain abstract and difficult to understand if lecture material is not followed by laboratory exercises that crystallize the concepts and help in successful assimilation of the material. The hardware and software to be bought will alleviate this problem. Additionally, with such a laboratory setup we will also be able to teach other courses in parallel computing in the future. The experience gained through this practical approach will not only be beneficial to computer science students but also attract students from other disciplines such as mathematics, physical sciences and engineering.