Title: Using cellular automata for parallel simulation of laser dynamics with dynamic load balancing

Authors: J.L. Guisado, F. Fernandez de Vega, F. Jimenez-Morales, K.A. Iskra, P.M.A. Sloot

Addresses: Departamento de Arquitectura y Tecnologia de Computadores, Universidad de Sevilla, ETS Ingenieria Informatica, Avda. Reina Mercedes s/n. 41012 Sevilla, Spain. ' Centro Universitario de Merida, Universidad de Extremadura, Sta. Teresa Jornet, 38. 06800 Merida, Badajoz, Spain. ' Departamento de Fisica de la Materia Condensada, Universidad de Sevilla, P.O. Box 1065, 41080 Sevilla, Spain. ' Argonne National Laboratory, Mathematics and Computer Science Division, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439, USA. ' Section Computational Science, Laboratory for Computing, Systems Architecture and Programming, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 403, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract: We present an analysis of the feasibility of executing a parallel bioinspired model of laser dynamics, based on cellular automata (CA), on the usual target platform of this kind of applications: a heterogeneous non-dedicated cluster. As this model employs a synchronous CA, using the single program, multiple data (SPMD) paradigm, it is not clear in advance if an appropriate efficiency can be obtained on this kind of platform. We have evaluated its performance including artificial load to simulate other tasks or jobs submitted by other users. A dynamic load balancing strategy with two main differences from most previous implementations of CA based models has been used. First, it is possible to migrate load to cluster nodes initially not belonging to the pool. Second, a modular approach is taken in which the model is executed on top of a dynamic load balancing tool – the Dynamite system – gaining flexibility. Very satisfactory results have been obtained, with performance increases from 60% to 80%.

Keywords: cluster computing; simulation; parallel bio-inspired models; laser dynamics; dynamic load balancing; performance evaluation; cellular automata; high performance computing.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHPSA.2008.024209

International Journal of High Performance Systems Architecture, 2008 Vol.1 No.4, pp.251 - 259

Published online: 29 Mar 2009 *

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