Retrieval performance of a distributed text database utilizing a parallel processor document server

This paper considers text retrieval systems which store extremely huge amounts of text while providing a multi-user retrieval service for a large customer base. Due to the severe I/O demands of such a system, it is usually beneficial if not necessary to utilize a multi-processor system with multiple I/O facilities in an effort to increase the parallel I/O activity, the objective being to lower search response times. After defining the problem, we model a solution and show that the application can be handled in a very effective fashion by a multi-processor system with a simple LAN-based topology. The final discussion describes a type of functional splitting which, if done in a careful manner, helps improve search response time.