Parallel::Pvm 1.4.0

Parallel::Pvm is a Perl extension for the Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) Message Passing System.

SYNOPSIS

use Parallel::Pvm;

The PVM message passing system enables a programmer to configure a group of (possibly heterogenous) computers connected by a network into a parallel virtual machine. The system was developed by the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Emory University.

Using PVM, applications can be developed which spawns parallel processes onto nodes in the virtual machine to perform specific tasks. These parallel tasks can also periodically exchange information using a set of message passing functions developed for the system.

PVM applications have mostly been developed in the scientific and engineering fields. However applications for real-time and client/server systems can also be developed. PVM simply provides a convenient way for managing parallel tasks and communications without need for rexec or socket level programming.

As a utility, PVM enables an organisation to leverage on the computers already available for parallel processing. Parallel applications can be started during non-peak hours to utilise idle CPU cycles. Or dedicated workstation clusters connected via a high performance network like ATM can be used for high performance computing.

It is recommended that you read the PVM manual pages and the book "PVM: Parallel Virtual Machine, A userss guide and tutorial for networked parallel computing". Both the PVM system and the book can be obtained from the HTTP address http://www.epm.ornl.gov/pvm.

For the rest of this document we will provide a tutorial introduction to developing PVM applications using perl. The interface for some of the PVM functions have been changed of course to give it a more perl-like feel.
Remember think perl think parallel! Good Luck!