Over the years there have been dramatic increases in computing power and capabilities, but none so dramatic as recently. Early mathematical computations were facilitated by lines drawn in the sand. This eventually lead to the abacus, the first mechanical device for assisting with mathematics. Much later came punch cards, a mechanical method to assist with tabulation. Ultimately, this led to ever more complex machines, mechanical and electronic, for computation.
Today, a small handheld calculator has more computing power than that available to the Apollo missions that went to the moon. Early computers used small toroids to store hundreds or thousands of bits of information in an area the size of a broom closet. Modern computers use silicon to store billions of bits of information in a space not much larger than a postage stamp.
But even as computers become more capable, certain constraints still arise. Early computers worked with 8 bits, or a byte, to solve problems. Most modern computers work with 32 bits at a time, with many dealing with 64 bits per operation, which is similar to increasing the width of a highway. Another method for increasing performance is to increase the clock speed, which is similar to raising the speed limits. So, modern computers are the equivalent of very wide highways with very fast speed limits.
However, there are limits to the performance benefits that can be achieved by simply increasing the clock speed or bus width. In this redbook, we present an alternative approach to increasing computing power. Instead of using one computer to solve a problem, why not use many computers, in concert, to solve the same problem?
Today, a small handheld calculator has more computing power than that available to the Apollo missions that went to the moon. Early computers used small toroids to store hundreds or thousands of bits of information in an area the size of a broom closet. Modern computers use silicon to store billions of bits of information in a space not much larger than a postage stamp.
But even as computers become more capable, certain constraints still arise. Early computers worked with 8 bits, or a byte, to solve problems. Most modern computers work with 32 bits at a time, with many dealing with 64 bits per operation, which is similar to increasing the width of a highway. Another method for increasing performance is to increase the clock speed, which is similar to raising the speed limits. So, modern computers are the equivalent of very wide highways with very fast speed limits.
However, there are limits to the performance benefits that can be achieved by simply increasing the clock speed or bus width. In this redbook, we present an alternative approach to increasing computing power. Instead of using one computer to solve a problem, why not use many computers, in concert, to solve the same problem?
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