Process topologies for the Parallel Virtual Machine

This paper presents the design and implementation of a flexible process topology server and library for the Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) environment. Together they allow the expression and development of parallel algorithms using natural, abstract communication contexts. Written as a PVM application, the topology server and its library provide a minimal set of functions that adequately address topology based communication requirements. Our new approach enables parallel programmers to implement new topologies without having to modify the topology server or the library. This paper further discusses the virtual process topology support within the extended PVM message passing environment.