Turbo Pascal implementation of a distributed processing network of MS-DOS microcomputers connected in a master-slave configuration

Abstract

This thesis describes the design and implementation of a distributed processing network of IBM PC compatible computers capable of performing parallel processing tasks. The network is a star cluster local area network, with the central computer controlling the operations of the satellite computers on a sequential basis. The local area network software operates over the computer's standard RS-232C communications ports, and is currently implemented to allow the central computer to operate two satellite computers. Processing tasks are dispatched to the satellite computers as programs which run to completion on the satellite computers. Utility programs within the software include file and message transfer to start the programs on the satellite computers and to obtain the output of the remotely executed program, configuration utilities to set the communications port parameters, and windowing utilities for display of information normally presented on the remote computer's display. The program is implemented in Turbo Pascal 4.0 under the MS-DOS operating system, version 3.21.