Architecture of a parallel machine: Cenju-3

Cenju-3 is a parallel computer in which up to 256 processing elements (PEs) are connected by a highspeed multistage interconnection network. In designing the system, the architecture is tuned for up to a 256 processor system. A VR4400 with 1 MB of secondary cache memory is implemented on a multi-chip-module to realize a compact and high-performance PE. The multistage network is implemented very compactly. The number of the cables is equal to the number of processors. The dedicated network interface hardware designed for the system achieves low latency and high throughput. This paper presents the machine architecture and its evaluation.