ON-LINE COMPUTING WITH A HIERARCHY OF PROCESSORS.

A new system architecture is proposed for time shared computing that alleviates the high overhead or program size restriction. It utilizes a hierarchy of processors, where each processor is assigned tasks on the basis of four factors interactive requirements, frequency of use, execution time, and program length. In order to study the hierarchical approach to system architecture, the Moore School Problem Solving Facility MSPSF was built and used. The study of the manner of operation and the reactions of the users clarified and defined the Hierarchy of Processors system architecture. The Moore School Problem Solving Facility was implemented on second generation equipment, the IBM 7040, and therefore it is not possible to adequately compare the efficiency with third generation computers operating in a swapping mode. The conclusions of this dissertation center around the methodology of designing such a system, including the specification of facilities for each level of the hierarchy. Author