Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method and an apparatus is disclosed for providing a corresponding view of a partitioned distributed parallel processing environment. The parallel processing system itself is comprised of a plurality of nodes connected to one another and to a central control element via a network. The central control element is used for communication and status maintenance of the system environment. The apparatus and method provides for separate storing of system data pertaining to different sub-environments in a system data repository located in the central control element. Each data pertaining exclusively to a sub-environment is identified as such and limited access to that data is provided only to the nodes residing in that environment. A system view is constructed based on the data in this repository. Once a view is constructed, the view is identified and stored separately as belonging to a specific sub-environment.

Abstract: A method of deciphering all communications for a given sub-environment in a partitioned parallel processing environment is suggested through the use of daemons. The parallel processing environment is a UNIX based operating environment comprising of a plurality of nodes connected through a network to one another and to a central control element used for controlling all communications. The parallel processing environment initially operates as a single computing unit, which is later partitioned into two or more isolated sub-environments. The method comprises of storing all system data in a repository provided in the central control element, each data being organized as belonging exclusively to one sub-environment, or globally to all sub-environments. The central control element is then apportioned, so that the data belonging exclusively to one sub-environment is located at a given address, each sub-environment being assigned a different address.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an application and method of preserving persistent logical partitions, is suggested for use in a partitioned massively parallel processing system environment. All system data, including configuration data is stored in a central control element in a special configuration object class file. The configuration object class file maps the resources to different sub-environments. Upon a system shut-down or re-booting of any resource, the configuration information stored in the central control element is recovered to re-establish the sub-environments integrity.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method and apparatus is disclosed for partitioning a massively distributed parallel processor into at least two isolated sub-environments. The parallel processing environment is comprised of a plurality of nodes connected to one another via a network in such a way as to form a single system unit initially. A central control element is provided for controlling and maintaining all communications and status information between nodes. The nodes and the central control element are in processing communication with one another via the network. All system data is deposited in a system data repository located in the central control element. Once the environment is partitioned, the system data stored in this repository is organized into system or partitioned classes, with the partitioned classes only being accessible selectively to nodes residing in one environment or another.