Re: MOSIX and kernel mods.

Kamran Karimi (karimi@cs.uregina.ca)
Fri, 5 Mar 1999 14:32:35 -0600 (CST)


On Fri, 5 Mar 1999, Richard Gooch wrote:

> But I can leave that aside, since it's your code, even though I
> disagree with it's appropriateness. What I strongly object to is the
> bloat that is added to the kernel to support your model. If DIPC was
> limited to extending message queues to the cluster, I would be less
> concerned (although I feel it should be possible from user space).

As I have said before, DIPC is a config time option. You can decide if
you want it in your compiled kernel. What you say is like claiming it is
not a good idea to have all those driver sources in the Linux kernel just
because you won't be using most of them. Please think about this.

> An MPI programme is also MP-ready, but doesn't encourage constructs
> which are heavily penalised in a cluster. Thus MPI programmes written
> for SMP or DM machines (with fast interprocessor connections) should
> scale well to a cluster.

Yeah, but that works backwards: Creating a message passing layer on top of
a shared memory architecture. Shared memory is more fundamental. IMO an
appropriate "abstraction" should go the other way.

> Again: I'm all for abstractions that make life easier. But DSM makes
> people think the *wrong way* about distributed computing.

I'm repeating myself: Not everybody cares!

> And CS is littered with endless "ideas" which were dropped because
> they didn't work in real life. People moved on from those
> discussions. It cuts both ways.

I don't think continuing this discussion will convince any of us. Good
luck with your work.

-Kamran

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