A new model for task scheduling that dramatically improves the
efficiency of parallel systems
Task scheduling for parallel systems can become a quagmire of
heuristics, models, and methods that have been developed over the
past decades. The author of this innovative text cuts through the
confusion and complexity by presenting a consistent and
comprehensive theoretical framework along with realistic parallel
system models. These new models, based on an investigation of the
concepts and principles underlying task scheduling, take into
account heterogeneity, contention for communication resources, and
the involvement of the processor in communications.
For readers who may be new to task scheduling, the first
chapters are essential. They serve as an excellent introduction to
programming parallel systems, and they place task scheduling within
the context of the program parallelization process. The author then
reviews the basics of graph theory, discussing the major graph
models used to represent parallel programs. Next, the author
introduces his task scheduling framework. He carefully explains the
theoretical background of this framework and provides several
examples to enable readers to fully understand how it greatly
simplifies and, at the same time, enhances the ability to
schedule.
The second half of the text examines both basic and advanced
scheduling techniques, offering readers a thorough understanding of
the principles underlying scheduling algorithms. The final two
chapters address communication contention in scheduling and
processor involvement in communications.
Each chapter features exercises that help readers put their new
skills into practice. An extensive bibliography leads to additional
information for further research. Finally, the use of figures and
examples helps readers better visualize and understand complex
concepts and processes.
Researchers and students in distributed and parallel computer
systems will find that this text dramatically improves their
ability to schedule tasks accurately and efficiently.
Om författaren
Oliver Sinnen, Ph D, is a senior lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.