Tools for managing massively parallel systems
Kathleen M. Nichols · 2003
Tools for managing massively parallel systems are discussed in the context of existing tools and models for concurrent systems. On the basis of a survey of existing tools for parallel systems, creation of a consensus tool, integrating the best features of these with additional functionality for behavioral study and performance evaluation, is proposed. Flow graph models for concurrent systems are shown to be in widespread use and flexible enough to be used as a basis for creating models for this tool. The parallel architecture research and evaluation tool (PARET), an environment that uses interacting, multiple flow graphs to form a system model, is discussed in some depth as an existing tool with many of the desirable features of the target consensus tool. PARET, which has been used for medium-size systems, has features for use in modeling larger-scale systems. The modeling of a Linda machine and its implementation using PARET are shown as an example of system modeling using a progression of interacting flow graphs.>