Metacomputing to Solve Complex Computational Problems

In this paper we describe the implementation of a parallel code to study the n-body problem of non-destructive evolution processes inside a cluster of galaxies. The code has been implemented and optimized for a metacomputer structured as a workstation cluster which can be set up by computers located either in the same site or in geographically distributed sites. The use of a metacomputer is very important for carrying out complex simulations. Performance results obtained by executing several tests on homogeneous and heterogeneous clusters of workstations and on a metacomputer made up of four IBM SP2s located in Italy are given.