Analysis of Reliability Models for Interconnecting MIMD Systems

When a computing system operates with Multiple-Instruction Multiple Data streams (MIMD), the overall system reliability is defined as the probability that one path, at least, exists between each pair of system nodes. In this paper the reliability models of MIMD systems are classified as combinatorial, state-transition, linksenumeration and spanning tree models. These models are analysed in such a unified manner that seven network configurations are considered. These configurations are: star, tree, ring, dual-bus hyper cube, normal hyper cube, multiple global buses and near-neighbour mesh. Hence the corresponding structured Algol-like algorithms are given. The reliability evaluation of every interconnection is presented, taking into account the configuration size. Moreover, a comparison of models and configurations is emphasised to help rank them for MIMD operational conditions.