Marionette: a system for parallel distributed programming using a master/slave model

Marionette is a system for distributed parallel programming in an environment of networked heterogeneous computer systems. It is based on a master/slave model. The master process can invoke worker operations (asynchronous remote procedure calls to single slaves) and context operations (updates to the state of all slaves). The master and slaves also interact through shared data structures that can be modified only by the master. The master and slave processes are programmed in a sequential language. The Marionette runtime system manages slave process creation, propagates shared data structures to slaves as needed, queues and dispatches worker and context operations, and manages recovery from slave processor failures. The Marionette system also includes tools for automated compilation of program binaries for multiple architectures, and for distributing binaries to remote file systems. A UNIX-based implementation of Marionette is described. This work supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DoD), Arpa Order No. 4871, monitored by Naval Electronic Systems Command under Contract No. N00039-84-C-0089, and by a California Microelectronics Fellowship. Report Documentation Page Form Approved OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.