MIST: PVM with Transparent Migration and Checkpointing

Abstract

We are currently involved in research to enable PVM to take advantage of shared networks of workstations (NOWs) more effectively. In such a computing environment, it is important to utilize workstations unobtrusively and recover from machine failures. Towards this goal, we have enhanced PVM with transparent task migration, checkpointing, and global scheduling. These enhancements are part of the MIST project which takes an open systems approach in developing a cohesive, distributed parallel computing environment. This open systems approach promotes plug-and-play integration of independently developed modules, such as Condor, DQS, AVS, Prospero, XPVM, PIOUS, Ptools, etc. Transparent task migration, in conjunction with a global scheduler, facilitates the use of shared NOWs by allowing parallel jobs to unobtrusively utilize nodes that are currently unused. PVM tasks can be moved onto nodes that are otherwise idle, and moved off when the node is no longer free. Experiments show that migrati...