Experience with Parallel Computers at NASA Ames

Beginning in 1988, the Numerical Aerodynamic Simulation (NAS) organization at NASA Ames Research Center has studied the usability of highly parallel computers on computational uid dynamics and other aerophysics applications. Presently this organization operates a CM-2 with 32,768 nodes and an Intel iPSC/860 with 128 nodes. This note gives an overview of the experience in using these systems, highlights both strong points and weak points of each, and discusses what improvements will be required in future highly parallel systems in order that they can gain acceptance in the mainstream of scienti c computing. The author is with the NAS Applied Research Branch at NASA Ames Research Center, Mo ett Field, CA 94035.