CMU-CS-98-174
Computer Science Department
School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University



CMU-CS-98-174

The Case for Prediction-based Best-effort Real-time Systems

Peter A. Dinda, Bruce Lowekamp,
Loukas Kallivokas, David R. O'Hallaron

January 1999

A version of this paper appeared in the
Seventh Workshop on Parallel and Distributed Real-Time Systems (WPDDRTS'99)

CMU-CS-98-174.ps
CMU-CS-98-174.pdf


Keywords: Distributed real-time systems, interactive applications, host load prediction


We propose a prediction-based best-effort real-time service to support distributed, interactive applications in shared, unreserved computing environments. These applications have timing requirements, but can continue to function when deadlines are missed. In addition, they expose two kinds of adaptability: tasks can be run on any host, and their resource demands can be adjusted based on user-perceived quality. After defining this class of applications, we describe two significant examples, an earthquake visualization tool and a GIS map display tool, and show how they could benefit from the service. Finally, we present evidence that the service is feasible in the form of two studies of algorithms for host load prediction and for predictive task mapping.

18 pages


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