multicomputing

Multicomputing refers to the use of multiple independent computers working together to achieve a common goal. This is distinct from multiprocessing, which involves multiple processors within a single computer, or distributed computing, which often implies a greater degree of autonomy and geographical separation between the computing units. In a multicomputing system, each computer typically has its own memory, operating system, and resources. The primary challenge in multicomputing is coordinating the actions of these independent machines and efficiently sharing data between them.

The motivation for multicomputing stems from the need to solve problems that exceed the capabilities of a single computer, either in terms of processing power, memory, or storage. This can include complex scientific simulations, large-scale data analysis, or rendering of high-definition graphics. By distributing the workload across multiple machines, tasks can be completed much faster. Communication between the computers is usually facilitated by a network, which can range from a local area network (LAN) to a wide area network (WAN).

Common approaches to multicomputing involve message passing, where individual computers send and receive data packets to communicate. Parallel programming models and libraries, such as Message Passing Interface (MPI), are often employed to manage this communication and synchronization. The effectiveness of a multicomputing system depends heavily on the efficiency of the network interconnect and the algorithms used to parallelize the task.