Distribution + persistence = global virtual memory

Authors

Stephen Russell, Alan Skea, Kevin Elphinstone, Gernot Heiser, Keith Burston, Ian Gorton and Graham Hellestrand

    School of Computer Science and Engineering
    University of New South Wales,
    Sydney 2052, Australia

Abstract

The Distributed Systems Group at the University of New South Wales is currently constructing a distributed operating system based on global virtual memory (GVM). Unlike previously published systems, our system combines local and remote storage into a single large virtual address space. This provides a uniform method for naming and accessing objects regardless of their location, removes the distinction between persistent and transient data, and simplifies the migration of data and processes.

Our GVM system uses conventional computing nodes connected to specialised network interfaces. A fault-tolerant migration and replication protocol keeps the system operational and consistent in case of network errors or node crashes. Password capabilities are used to control access to the GVM.

BibTeX Entry

  @inproceedings{Russell_SEHBGH_92,
    title            = {Distribution + Persistence = Global Virtual Memory},
    booktitle        = {2nd IWOOOS},
    author           = {Stephen Russell and Alan Skea and Kevin Elphinstone and Gernot Heiser and Keith Burston and Ian
                        Gorton and Graham Hellestrand},
    year             = {1992},
    month            = {Sep},
    address          = {Dourdan, France},
    pages            = {96--99},
    noeditor         = {Luis-Felipe Cabrera and Eric Jul}
  }

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