Three-level-parallelization support framework for large-scale analytic simulation. Issue 3 (1st August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yao, Yi-ping; Meng, Dong; Zhu, Feng; Yan, Lai-bin; Qu, Qing-jun; Lin, Zhong-wei; Ma, Hai-bo
• Is Part Of: Journal of simulation. Volume 11:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 194
• Page End: 207
• Publication Date: 2017-08-01
• Subjects: large-scale analytic simulation -- parallel simulation -- three-level-parallelization -- high-performance simulation computer; Operations research -- Periodicals; Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Simulation methods -- Periodicals; 511.805
• DOI: 10.1057/s41273-017-0057-x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-7778

Abstract

Abstract: Fully exploiting the parallelism in large-scale analytic simulation is an essential way to meet the increasing demand for computing resources. This paper deconstructs large-scale analytic simulation using a hierarchical approach. Five computational characteristics that cause the huge computing requirements of analytic simulation are summarized: "Multi-sample", "Multi-entity", "Running-as-fast-as-possible", "Synchronization for constraint of causality", and "Complex model calculation". According to these characteristics, a "Sample, Entity, Model" three-level-Parallelization support framework is proposed to exploit the parallelism on three levels. Under the guidance of this framework, a High-Performance Simulation Computer system which integrated software management and hardware support was designed, and then applied in realistic applications. The experimental results show that the designed system can effectively utilize the potential parallelism characteristics in analytic simulation. Consequently, the simulation performance can be improved dozens or even hundreds of times.