MPE graphics-scalable X11 graphics in MPI

Parallel programs need the same programming libraries as sequential programs, and in as easy to use a form. In addition, the semantics of parallel graphics operations need to be defined. We describe a parallel graphics library that provides parallel semantics, both independent and collective, that take advantage of the MPI Standard to ensure safety, ease of use, and independence from user programs. For performance, particularly on machines with large numbers of processors, the communication patterns used by the parallel graphics routines need to be under user control. Parallel graphics will generate communication traffic, which needs to be kept isolated from other user messages or library based message passing. Fortunately, the new MPI message passing standard allows isolation of such communication in communication »contexts». We describe an X-based parallel graphics library that relies on MPI for communication. It is an MPI library and is independent of which particular MPI implementation is being used for the underlying communication.