Node-to-Node Synchronizing Apparatus for Dynamic Parallel Programs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional hardware synchronization mechanisms face challenges in handling large-scale parallel programs with hundreds to thousands of nodes, as they require costly and cumbersome setup of process location information before synchronization, making it difficult to manage dynamic changes in synchronization sets.

Innovation Solution

A node-to-node synchronizing apparatus that automatically generates process location information based on mask generation requests from each computing node, reducing the cost burden of information exchange and enabling dynamic changes in synchronization sets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If process location information is manually set up before synchronization in conventional hardware mechanisms, then synchronization can be achieved, but the cost and complexity of information exchange increases enormously in large-scale systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization completion accuracyVSAvoidinformation exchange cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables processes to automatically generate their own process location information (mask) by receiving mask generation requests from each process and automatically creating the appropriate location information, eliminating the need for manual setup and reducing information exchange costs in large-scale parallel programs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary generation of process location information before synchronization operations begin, allowing the mask to be automatically created and prepared in advance based on process requests, ensuring synchronization can proceed without costly manual configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If process location information is pre-configured in conventional mechanisms, then synchronization determination can be made, but dynamic changes in synchronization sets become difficult to manage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization determination accuracyVSAvoiddynamic synchronization set management

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows the process location information (mask) to be dynamically generated and updated based on mask generation requests from processes, enabling the synchronization set to adapt to changing conditions in parallel programs rather than being fixed in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8397094B2Node-to-node synchronizing apparatus, node-to-node synchronizing method, and computer product

Publication Date: 2013.03.12 FUJITSU LTD

AI summary

A node-to-node synchronizing apparatus includes an information generating unit. Before receiving a synchronization request for synchronization, the information generating unit receives, from each process in each computing node, a mask generation request requesting to generate process location information (mask) indicating the location of processes that participate in synchronization. The information generating unit then automatically generates the process location information based on the mask generation request.