The concept of attached processing and attached resource computer systems (Paper Session)

Attached Processing, a new concept in business data processing, specifies a new system architecture constituting an on-line computer system oï¾£ arbitrary size, made up of an arbitrary number of functionally dispersed processors which nevertheless maintain common data bases. Information stored in such a system is immediately accessible, under user-configured security controls, by any processor attached to it. Such a system can expand by simple accretion, without economic penalty. To obtain more processing throughput, one attaches more processors. To obtain more data storage, one attaches additional disk drives as needed. In its practical realization, Attached Processing assumes the form of an Attached Resource Computer. The Attached Resource Computer does not employ a central, controlling host computer. System control is decentralized. Failure oï¾£ any individual processor in the system cannot bring all processing to a halt. Functional reconfigurations are easy since no processor is hard-wired to a specific task or tasks.