Summary: Effect of Non­uniform Traffic on the Performance
of Multistage Interconnection Networks
M. Atiquzzaman M.S. Akhtar
Dept. of Computer Science Dept. of Electrical Engg.
La Trobe University King Fahd Univ. of Pet. & Minerals
Melbourne 3083, Australia. Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
atiq@latcs1.lat.oz.au
Abstract
Multistage interconnection networks are used to connect processors to memories in
shared memory multiprocessor systems. Hot spots in shared memory multiprocessor sys­
tems result in a degradation the in network performance. An analytical model to evaluate
the performance of an unbuffered MIN has been developed. A comparison of performance
between unbuffered and buffered MINs under hot spot traffic pattern has been presented in
this paper. It is found that an an unbuffered network may perform better than a buffered
network in the presence of a non­uniform traffic pattern. Finally, a hybrid mode network is
suggested for optimum performance under different traffic conditions.
1 Introduction
Tightly­coupled multiprocessor systems with a variety of interconnection networks have been
proposed, analyzed, and built in the last two decades [1]. Multistage interconnection networks
(MINs) have been found to be a very cost­effective solution to connect a large number of

Source: Atiquzzaman, Mohammed - School of Computer Science, University of Oklahoma

Collections: Computer Technologies and Information Sciences