The Prospero Resource Manager: A scalable framework for processor allocation in distributed systems

Existing techniques for allocating processors in parallel and distributed systems are not suitable for use in large distributed systems. In such systems, dedicated multiprocessors should exist as an integral component of the distributed system, and idle processors should be available to applications that need them. The Prospero Resource Manager (PRM) is a scalable resource allocation system that supports the allocation of processing resources in large networks and on multiprocessor systems. PRM employs three types of managers, the job manager, the system manager, and the node manager, to manage resources in a distributed system. Multiple independent instances of each type of manager exist, reducing bottlenecks. When making scheduling decisions each manager utilizes information most closely associated with the entities for which it is responsible.