Interconnection Networks
for Parallel Computers
• Interconnection networks carry data between processors
and to memory.
• Interconnects are made of switches and links (wires,
fiber).
• Interconnects are classified as static or dynamic.
• Static networks consist of point-to-point communication
links among processing nodes and are also referred to
as direct networks.
• Dynamic networks are built using switches and
communication links. Dynamic networks are also
referred to as indirect networks.
, Static and Dynamic
Interconnection Networks
Classification of interconnection networks: (a) a static
network; and (b) a dynamic network.
, Interconnection Networks
• Switches map a fixed number of inputs to outputs.
• The total number of ports on a switch is the degree of
the switch.
• The cost of a switch grows as the square of the degree
of the switch, the peripheral hardware linearly as the
degree, and the packaging costs linearly as the number
of pins.
, Interconnection Networks:
Network Interfaces
• Processors talk to the network via a network interface.
• The network interface may hang off the I/O bus or the
memory bus.
• In a physical sense, this distinguishes a cluster from a
tightly coupled multicomputer.
• The relative speeds of the I/O and memory buses impact
the performance of the network.
for Parallel Computers
• Interconnection networks carry data between processors
and to memory.
• Interconnects are made of switches and links (wires,
fiber).
• Interconnects are classified as static or dynamic.
• Static networks consist of point-to-point communication
links among processing nodes and are also referred to
as direct networks.
• Dynamic networks are built using switches and
communication links. Dynamic networks are also
referred to as indirect networks.
, Static and Dynamic
Interconnection Networks
Classification of interconnection networks: (a) a static
network; and (b) a dynamic network.
, Interconnection Networks
• Switches map a fixed number of inputs to outputs.
• The total number of ports on a switch is the degree of
the switch.
• The cost of a switch grows as the square of the degree
of the switch, the peripheral hardware linearly as the
degree, and the packaging costs linearly as the number
of pins.
, Interconnection Networks:
Network Interfaces
• Processors talk to the network via a network interface.
• The network interface may hang off the I/O bus or the
memory bus.
• In a physical sense, this distinguishes a cluster from a
tightly coupled multicomputer.
• The relative speeds of the I/O and memory buses impact
the performance of the network.
