Synonyms
Definition
A Single System Image (SSI) is an abstraction that provides the illusion that a multicomputer or cluster is a single machine. There are individual instances of the Operating Systems (OSs) running on each node of a multicomputer, processes working together are spread across multiple nodes, and files may reside on multiple disks. An SSI provides a unified view of this collection to users, programmers, and system administrators. This unification makes a system easier to use and more efficient to manage.
Discussion
Introduction
Multicomputers consist of nodes, each with its own memory, CPUs, and a network interface. In the case of clusters, each node is a stand-alone computer made of commodity, off-the-shelf parts. Instead of viewing this collection of computers as individual systems, it is easier and more economical if users, programmers, and system administrators can treat the collection as a single machine. For example, users want to...
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Riesen, R., Maccabe, A.B. (2011). Single System Image. In: Padua, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Parallel Computing. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09766-4_215
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09766-4_215
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