The CTK: An efficient multi-processor kernel.

This paper describes the Communications and Tasking Kernel, or CTK, which is a small, efficient Kernel for a shared-memory multiprocessor. The CTK provides efficient, easy-to-use task management and inter-task communication services, while allowing user programs as much control over the hardware (devices, interrupts, etc.) as they would have if they were running on a "bare" machine. The CTK is intended for computation-intensive parallel programs, such as simulations or data analysis, and for dedicated, real- time process-control and device-control applications. The CTK has been used for a multiprocessor Concurrent C workstation and for a database machine.