Techniques for mapping tasks to machines in heterogeneous computing systems

Heterogeneous computing (HC) is the coordinated use of different types of m achines, net-works, and interfaces to maximize their combined performance a nd/or cost-effectiveness. HC systems are becoming a plausible technique for efficiently solving computationally intensive problems. The applicability and strength of HC systems are derived from their ability to match computin g needs to appropriate resources. In an HC system, tasks need to be matched to machines, and the execution of the tasks must be scheduled. The goal of this invited keynote paper is to: (1) introduce the reader to some of the different distributed and parallel types of HC environments; and (2) examin e some research issues for HC systems consisting of a network of different machines. The latter purpose is pursued by considering: (1) the quantificat ion of heterogeneity; (2) the characterization of techniques for mapping (m atching and scheduling) tasks on such systems; (3) an example HC resource m anagement system; and (4) static and dynamic heuristics for mapping tasks t o machines in such HC systems. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.