Parrot: Transparent User-Level Middleware for Data-Intensive Computing

• DOI: 10.12694/scpe.v6i3.333
• Publication Date: 2005-01-01
• Authors: Douglas Thain; Miron Livny
• Keywords: Namespace; Software portability; Debugger; Backward compatibility

Distributed computing continues to be an alphabet-soup of services and protocols for managing computation storage. To live in this environment, applications require middleware that can transparently adapt standard interfaces new distributed systems; such is known as interposition agent. In paper, we present several lessons learned about agents via a progressive study design possibilities. Although performance important concern, pay special attention less tangible issues portability, reliability, compatibility. We begin with comparison seven methods select one method, the debugger trap, slowest but also most reliable. Using implement complete agent, Parrot, splices existing remote I/O systems into namespace applications. The primary problem Parrot mapping fixed application semantics available systems. offer detailed discussion how errors other unexpected conditions must carefully managed order keep intact. conclude evaluation employed by use Andrew-like benchmark demonstrate semantic differences have consequences performance.