Scalable Parallel Computing

This book covers four areas of parallel computing: principles, technology, architecture, and programming. It is suitable for professionals and undergraduates taking courses in computer engineering, parallel processing, computer architecture, scaleable computers or distributed computing.

Existing software applications should be redesigned if programmers want to benefit from the performance offered by multi- and many-core architectures. Performance scalability now depends on the possibility of finding and exploiting enough Thread-Level Parallelism (TLP) in applications for using the increasing numbers of cores on a chip. Video decoding is an example of an application domain with increasing computational requirements every new generation. This is due, on the one hand, to the trend towards high quality video systems (high definition and frame rate, 3D displays, etc) that results in a continuous increase in the amount of data that has to be processed in real-time. On the other hand, there is the requirement to maintain high compression efficiency which is only possible with video codes like H.264/AVC that use advanced coding techniques. In this book, the parallelization of H.264/AVC decoding is presented as a case study of parallel programming. H.264/AVC decoding is an example of a complex application with many levels of dependencies, different kernels, and irregular data structures. The book presents a detailed methodology for parallelization of this type of applications. It begins with a description of the algorithm, an analysis of the data dependencies and an evaluation of the different parallelization strategies. Then the design and implementation of a novel parallelization approach is presented that is scalable to many core architectures. Experimental results on different parallel architectures are discussed in detail. Finally, an outlook is given on parallelization opportunities in the upcoming HEVC standard.

This book contains four review articles in the area of scalable computing. Two of the articles discuss methods and tools for the parallel solution of irregular problems, which have been satisfactorily worked out in heterogeneous systems. One surveys the technology and applications of multimedia server clusters, which are playing an increasing role in the current networked environment. An additional article discusses SilkRoad, which adds distributed shared memory capabilities to the Cilk parallel programming system. Once again, the book represents a new set of steps forward in parallel systems. Graduate students, academics and researchers in supercomputing and computer engineering.

This book contains four review articles in the area of scalable computing. Two of the articles discuss methods and tools for the parallel solution of irregular problems, which have been satisfactorily worked out in heterogeneous systems. One surveys the technology and applications of multimedia server clusters, which are playing an increasing role in the current networked environment. An additional article discusses SilkRoad, which adds distributed shared memory capabilities to the Cilk parallel programming system. Once again, the book represents a new set of steps forward in parallel systems. Contents:Parallel Computing Strategies for Irregular AlgorithmsA Runtime Support for Large-Scale Irregular Computing on Clusters and GridsMemory Model Support for Mixed Programming Paradigm in SilkRoadClustered Multimedia Servers: Architectures and Storage Systems Readership: Graduate students, academics and researchers in supercomputing and computer engineering. Keywords:Clusters;Distributed Shared Memory;Heterogeneous Systems;Irregular Problems;Multimedia Servers;Parallel Processing;Scalable Computing

Comprehensively discusses significant projects in scalable computing in various research organizations around the world.

Scalable parallel systems or, more generally, distributed memory systems offer a challenging model of computing and pose fascinating problems regarding compiler optimization, ranging from language design to run time systems. Research in this area is foundational to many challenges from memory hierarchy optimizations to communication optimization. This unique, handbook-like monograph assesses the state of the art in the area in a systematic and comprehensive way. The 21 coherent chapters by leading researchers provide complete and competent coverage of all relevant aspects of compiler optimization for scalable parallel systems. The book is divided into five parts on languages, analysis, communication optimizations, code generation, and run time systems. This book will serve as a landmark source for education, information, and reference to students, practitioners, professionals, and researchers interested in updating their knowledge about or active in parallel computing.

"This book presents, discusses, shares ideas, results and experiences on the recent important advances and future challenges on enabling technologies for achieving higher performance"--Provided by publisher.