Visualizing parallel simulations that execute in network computing environments

Parallel discrete-event simulation systems (PDES) are used to simulate larg e-scale applications such as modeling telecommunication networks, transport ation grids, and battlefield scenarios. While a large amount of PDES resear ch has focused on employing multiprocessors and multicomputers, the use of networks of workstations interconnected through Ethernet or ATM has evolved into a popular effective platform for PDES. Nonetheless, the development o f efficient PDES systems in network computing environments is not without o bstacles that severely degrade simulator performance. To better understand how these factors degrade performance as well as develop new algorithms to mitigate them, we investigate the use of graphical visualization to provide insight into performance evaluation and simulator execution. We began with a general-purpose network computing visualization system, PVaniM, and used it to investigate the execution of an advanced version of Time Warp, calle d Georgia Tech Time Warp (GTW), which executes in network computing environ ments. Because PDES systems such as GTW are essentially middleware that sup port their own applications, we soon realized these systems require their o wn middleware-specific visualization support. To this end we have extended PVaniM into a new system, called PVaniM-GTW by adding middleware-specific v iews. Our experiences with PVaniM-GTW indicates that these enhancements ena ble one to better satisfy the needs of PDES middleware than general-purpose visualization systems while also not requiring the development of applicat ion-specific visualizations by the end-user. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.