Fault-tolerant parallel and distributed systems

Sample

Dimiter R. Avresky, David R. Kaeli

The most important uses of computing in the future will be those related to the global `digital convergence' where all computing becomes digital and internetworked. This convergence will be propelled by new and advanced applications in storage, searching, retrieval and exchanging of information in a myriad of forms. All of these will place heavy demands on large parallel and distributed computer systems because these systems have high intrinsic failure rates. The challenge to the computer scientist is to build a system that is inexpensive, accessible and dependable. The chapters in this book provide insight into many of these issues and others that will challenge researchers and applications developers. Included among these topics are: Fault-tolerance in communication protocols for distributed systems including synchronous and asynchronous group communication. Methods and approaches for achieving fault-tolerance in distributed systems such as those used in networks of workstations (NOW), dependable cluster systems, and scalable coherent interfaces (SCI)-based local area multiprocessors (LAMP). General models and features of distributed safety-critical systems built from commercial off-the-shelf components as well as service dependability in telecomputing systems. Dependable parallel systems for real-time processing of video signals. Embedding in faulty multiprocessor systems, broadcasting, system-level testing techniques, on-line detection and recovery from intermittent and permanent faults, and more. Fault-Tolerant Parallel and Distributed Systems is a coherent and uniform collection of chapters with contributions by several of the leading experts working on fault-resilient applications. The numerous techniques and methods included will be of special interest to researchers, developers, and graduate students.

Sample

Sean W. Smith

How can one trust computation taking place at a remote site, particularly if a party at that site might have motivation to subvert this trust? In recent years, industrial efforts have advanced the notion of a "trusted computing platform" as a building block. Through a conspiracy of hardware and software magic, these platforms attempt to solve this remote trust problem, to preserve various critical properties against various types of adversaries. However, these current efforts are just points on a larger continuum, which ranges from earlier work on secure coprocessor design and applications, through TCPA/TCG, to recent academic developments. Without wading through stacks of theses and research literature, the general computer science reader cannot see this big picture. Trusted Computing Platforms:Design and Applications fills this gap. Starting with early prototypes and proposed applications, this book surveys the longer history of amplifying small amounts of hardware security into broader system security---and reports real case study experience with security architecture and applications on multiple types of platforms. The author examines the theory, design, implementation of the IBM 4758 secure coprocessor platform and discusses real case study applications that exploit the unique capabilities of this platform. The author discusses how these foundations grow into newer industrial designs, and discusses alternate architectures and case studies of applications that this newer hardware can enable. The author closes with an examination of more recent cutting-edge experimental work in this area. Trusted Computing Platforms:Design and Applications is written for security architects, application designers, and the general computer scientist interested in the evolution and uses of this emerging technology.

Sample

Mičio Kaku

One hundred years ago, scientists would have said that lasers, televisions, and the atomic bomb were beyond the realm of physical possibility. Here, physicist Michio Kaku explores to what extent the technologies and devices of science fiction that are deemed equally impossible today might well become commonplace in the future. From teleportation to telekinesis, Kaku uses the world of science fiction to explore the fundamentals--and the limits--of the laws of physics as we know them today. He ranks the impossible technologies by categories--Class I, II, and III--depending on when they might be achieved, within the next century, millennia, or perhaps never. He uses his discussion of each technology as a jumping-off point to explain the science behind it.--From publisher description.

Sample

Gavin D. J. Harper

FUEL YOUR EVIL URGES WHILE YOU BUILD GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS!Go green as you amass power! Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius broadens your knowledge of this important, rapidly developing technology and shows you how to build practical, environmentally conscious projects using the three most popular and widely accessible fuel cells!In Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius, high-tech guru Gavin Harper gives you everything you need to conduct practical experiments and build energizing fuel cell projects. You'll find complete, easy-to-follow plans that feature clear diagrams and schematics, as well as:Instructions for fascinating sustainable energy projects, complete with 180 how-to illustrationsExplanations of how fuel cells work and why the hydrogen economy will impact our lives in the near futureFrustration-factor removal-all the needed parts are listed, along with sourcesScience fair project ideas that are on the cutting edge of the latest technological developmentsFuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius gives you complete plans, instructions, parts lists, and sources to:Understand how hydrogen could meet our energy needs in a post-carbon economyBuild a fuel cell car to race against your friendsBuild an intelligent fuel cell car which autonomously drivesBuild a simple fuel cell using adhesive bandagesHydrogen fuel your iPodHave a hydrogen barbecue-cook your food with zero carbon emissions!Discover how the amounts of hydrogen supplied to fuel cells affect the amounts of electricity producedAnd much more!