Mapping parallel computations onto distributed systems in Paralex

Paralex is a programming environment that allows parallel programs to be developed and executed on distributed systems as if the latter were uniform parallel multiprocessor computers. Architectural heterogeneity, remote communication and failures are rendered transparent to the programmer through automatic system support. The authors address the problems of initial mapping and dynamic alteration of the association between parallel computation components and distributed hosts. Results include novel heuristics and mechanisms to resolve these problems despite the complexities introduced by architectural heterogeneity fault tolerance.