Sequent Computer Systems, Inc. manufactures and delivers large scale, multiprocessor computer systems that address the needs of large data centers. There are two areas of relevant focus:

NT on cc-NUMA

The Sequent Symmetry product line has been based upon a Symmetrical Multi-Processor (SMP) architecture (2-32 processors) leveraging commodity components (e.g., Intel Pentium CPUs). These systems were delivered with a Sequent-developed scaleable UNIX, DYNIX/ptx.

Last year, Sequent introduced a new product line called the NUMA-Q 2000. In contrast to a large bus SMP architecture, the NUMA-Q 2000 is a scaleable hardware product based upon a Pentium Pro cache-coherent Non Uniform Memory Architecture (cc-NUMA) using a 4-processor building block. Dynix/ptx was modified and enhanced to efficiently support the NUMA-Q 2000 architecture. NT scaleability and performance is being investigated with respect to cc-NUMA architectures. Of particular concern are issues of I/O distribution and scheduling, memory management, and processor allocation.

Heterogeneous environments raise issues of system management, resource sharing, and system control. The range of tools and products in both environments is constantly growing which creates a challenge in delivering customer oriented management and control capabilities. Relevant issues in such an environment include: the integration of UNIX and NT, file sharing, fault tolerance, application services, user administration, serviceability, security, and reliability.

Name: Jarl W. McDonald
Affiliation: Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.
Email: jarl@sequent.com
Address: 550 Kirkland Way, ste 264
Kirkland, WA 98033
Phone: (425) 739-2061
URL: www.sequent.com