Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site umn-cs.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!we13!ihnp4!stolaf!umn-cs!smith
From: smith@umn-cs.UUCP (Richard Smith)
Newsgroups: net.arch
Subject: Re: What other topics besides RISC? - (nf)
Message-ID: <447@umn-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 29-Apr-84 21:00:52 EDT
Article-I.D.: umn-cs.447
Posted: Sun Apr 29 21:00:52 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 1-May-84 19:26:39 EDT
Sender: notes@umn-cs.UUCP
Organization: Computer Science Dept., U of Minn, Mpls, MN
Lines: 18

#R:houxk:-25300:umn-cs:13900010:000:697
umn-cs!smith    Apr 28 22:32:00 1984

Re: Multiprocessors
  Most of what Henry says about multiprocessors is true, but I don't think
that using backplanes is a good alternative to local nets.  I tend to think
of a 'backplane' as representing a parallel communications path that ALSO
distributes power;  managing the power supplies sounds like a source of
real trouble.  Imagine trying to provide clean power (incrementally!) in
a system as it grows from say 10 to 1000 nodes...
  The thing I like about local net architecture is that we can separate
everything into individually cheaper and isolated boxes.  You do lose the
economies of scale with the power supplies, though.

Rick.
[smith.umn-cs@CSNet-Relay]
 [...ihnp4!umn-cs!smith]