Performance modeling of hierarchical crossbar-based multicomputer systems

Crossbar networks have been widely used as the interconnection mechanism in many multiprocessor/multicomputer systems. Crossbar networks can be catego rized into three major topological classes: full-crossbar networks, multist age interconnection networks (MINs), and networks consisting of multiple le vels of full crossbar connections, called hierarchical crossbar interconnec tion networks (HCINs). A significant amount of previous work exists in the area of performance modeling of systems with full-crossbar networks or mult istage interconnection networks. However, performance modeling of multicomp uter systems with HCINs has not been widely studied. This paper presents bo th analytical and simulation models for performance evaluation of an HCIN b ased on the commercial Mercury RACEway crossbar switch. The effective data transfer rate for message passing is taken as the primary performance metri c and the models predict how this metric varies with the traffic load on th e system. The analytical results are compared to the simulation results for different standard configurations of Mercury RACE Multicomputer Systems.