Intelligent routers

The authors describe a mechanism known as intelligent routers that provides a means to implement distributed applications in a heterogeneous environment. A router is a process that may explicitly request to migrate to another machine so it can avail itself of that machine's capabilities. The router environment supports the migration despite differences in the computer hardware, operating systems, and communication networks in the target set of computers. Three main goals are described for intelligent router systems: that the routers be self-directing; that the systems accommodate heterogeneity; and that the systems be robust. A description of the architecture of an intelligent router system is presented. Also presented is an implementation of a particular intelligent router system. This prototype supports simultaneous execution of multiple routers on a variety of hardware and operating systems; however, it is not yet robust. Finally, worm programs, Knos, and routers are compared and their differences are explored.<>