Computing Communities

 A Computing Community or CC is a single, dynamically changing, virtual multiprocessor system, physically built of many components. The physical network disappears from the view of the computations that run on the CC. Our approach takes a base OS (Windows NT in our case), and all the applications that run on it, and transparently converts that system into a “different” one. This “different” system is called the “Computing Community”  A CC has features that are selected when the CC is constructed. For example, a CC that can have the features of transparent distribution, global scheduling, fault tolerance, and application adaptation.

Formally CC is an aggregation of computing and information resources—and even CCs—all drawn from diverse sources. CCs are dynamic and hierarchically constructed. CCs are self-repairing, and continue delivering, adequate, and predictable performance of the key services despite faults and other imperfections of the execution platform.

 The CC comprises three synergistic components: (1) Virtual Operating System (2) Global Resource Manager, and (3) Application Adaptation. These components are responsible, respectively, for providing a unified view (virtualization) of CC resources and privileges, integrating diverse components into the CC, and adapting to changes in CC resource characteristics.

 More Information: A paper on this topic is here.

ASU Web Site: http://calypso.eas.asu.edu/research.htm

NYU Web Site: http://www.cs.nyu.edu/pdsg/projects/cc/cc.htm