@TechReport{sanders:datatypes,
  author = {Darren Sanders and Yoonho Park and Maciej Brodowicz},
  title = {Implementation and performance of {MPI-IO} file access using {MPI}
  datatypes},
  year = {1996},
  month = {November},
  number = {UH-CS-96-12},
  institution = {University of Houston},
  URL = {http://www.hpc.uh.edu/cenju/pub/mpio.ps},
  keywords = {parallel I/O, multiprocessor file system interface, pario-bib},
  abstract = {In this paper we document our experience implementing MPI-IO file
  access using MPI datatypes. We present performance results and discuss two
  significant problems that stem from the flexibility of MPI datatypes. First,
  MPI datatypes can be used to specify non-contiguous access patterns.
  Optimizing data transfers for such patterns is difficult. Second, the
  behavior of MPI datatypes in a heterogenous environment is not
  well-defined.},
  comment = {They devise several file-access strategies for different
  situations, depending on the particulars of the etypes and filetypes in use:
  sequential, two-phase I/O, one file access per etype (random access), and one
  file access per etype element (random access with smaller pieces). They
  measure the performance of their system with example patterns that trigger
  each strategy. It would be nice to see a more extensive performance analysis
  of their implementation, and of their strategies.}
}