Task allocation in distributed multimedia systems based on the host-satellite model

Multimedia applications require intermediate processing between media sources and sinks. In addition to end-user machines intermediate computers can be used for performing media processing. This possibility leads to the problem of allocating processing components on various computers. In this paper, we study this problem in the context of star-shaped application graphs which have to be allocated between given end-user machines (satellites) and a central computer (host). The problem is formulated in terms of best achievable bottleneck resource usage. Several approaches are considered including anapproximate scheme and two fast-heuristics. Performance measurements show the efficiency of the considered approaches. A discussion of our approach shows important differences to solutions provided for related problems of graph partitioning and mapping

Enhancing Network Services through Multimedia Data Analysers

This paper summarises our experience of using data analysers to enhance network multimedia services. By analysers we mean simple processing modules that extract information contained in various multimedia streams. They are categorised based on their location with respect to the network, the location being determined by balancing bandwidth requirements and computational complexity. Various applications are described where analysers are used to enhance aspects of the service provided. Details of the multimedia environment are given, followed by an overview of the analyser architecture and examples of analyser-enhanced applications. The paper is concluded by indicating directions of future development. KEYWORDS Data analysers, distributed multimedia, ATM network services. INTRODUCTION Advances in network technology permit sophisticated configurations in the local area, which have resulted in a wealth of multimedia data being exchanged on the network. It has therefore become necessary ..