C.mmp: The CMU Multiminiprocessor Computer. Requirements and Overview of the Initial Design

The document describes a proposed CMU multiprocessor system to be constructed around a set of PDP-11 computers connected through a crosspoint switch to a large sharable primary memory. The present design constitutes a solution to a specific set of needs existing in our environment. The system has research consequences that reach well beyond the particular demands it was designed to satisfy. For although multiprocessors have been much talked about and advocated, there are remarkably few operational systems more complex than dual-processor systems, and even fewer documented scientific investigations into their performance and operating structure. This document is limited to a presentation and analysis of the (hardware) system. It gives enough description of the usage requirements, software, and the research potentials and problems to make clear why the authors believe the effort to be a sound one. (Author)