Implementation of a real-time, distributed operating system for a multiple computer system.

Abstract

This thesis presents extensions to an implementation of a kernel in a real-time distributed operating system for a microcomputer based multi-processor system. The operating system, MCORTEX, is a 2 level, hierarchically structured, loop free, system that permits logical distribution of the kernel in the address space of each process. The design is based on segmented address spaces and per process stacks. Process synchronization is achieved through sequencers and eventcounts. MCORTEX is resident in the local memory of each microcomputer but system data is maintained in shared global memory. MCORTEX has been extended to include a system monitor process which allows stopping the system to examine any memory, shared or local, from any location. The system can then be restarted without reinitializing each microcomputer. This system particularly supports applications where jobs are partitioned into a set of multiple interacting asynchronous processes. The system is currently implemented on INTEL 86/12A single-board computers.