The SDVM - an approach for future adaptive computer clusters

The self distributing virtual machine (SDVM) is a parallel computing machine which consists of a cluster of customary computers. The participating machines may have different computing speed or actually different operating systems, and any network topology between them is supported. As the SDVM supports dynamic entry and exit at runtime, the cluster may even grow or shrink without disturbing the program flow. Among other features, the SDVM features decentralized scheduling and automatic distribution of data and program code throughout the cluster. Therefore machines need no prerequisites apart from the SDVM daemon itself to join the cluster. The concept of the SDVM is implemented for the field of computer clusters (extensible to grid computing like the Internet), but it can be designed for multi-processor-systems or systems-on-chip (SoC) as well. This paper presents the properties and the structure of the SDVM.