Basic HTML version of Foils prepared 21 October 1995

Foil 57 Switches Versus Networks versus Fat Meshes

From New CPS615 Foils-- B 28 August 95 CPS615 Basic Simulation Track for Computational Science -- Fall Semester 95. by Geoffrey C. Fox
We can in diagram below choose the staging point X to be:
  • Wires as in hypercube or switch routing network elements
  • The routing elements can be separate from or identical with processor
Conversely the "processor" always routes messages in a hypercube. This routing element can be attached to CPU as in hypercube or an uncoupled processor -- routing chip pair as in switch
  • Note modern systems often have separate CPU for routing (dedicated special purpose VLSI) and calculation -- see Intel Paragon

© on Tue Oct 7 1997