Randomized PRAM simulation using T9000 transputers

Abstract

The parallel random access machine (PRAM) is the most commonly used general-purpose machine model for describing parallel computations. Unfortunately the PRAM model is not physically realizable, since on large machines a parallel shared memory access can only be accomplished at the cost of a significant time delay. In this paper we study the randomized simulation of an EREW (exclusive read, exclusive write) PRAM on a module parallel computer (MPC). The simulation is based on utilizing universal hashing. The results of our experiments performed on the MPC built upon Inmos T9000 transputers throw some light on the question whether using the PRAM model in parallel computations is practically viable given the present state of technology.

Research supported by the State Committee for Scientific Research under the grant BK-228/RAu2/95.

Research supported by the European Committee under the Tempus programme grant IMG-94-PL-1098 and by the State Committee for Scientific Research under the grant BK-228/RAu2/95.