Using random task graphs to investigate the potential benefits of heterogeneity in parallel systems

Author

Almeida, V.A.F. ; Vasconcelos, I.M.M. ; Árabe, J. N C ; Menascé, D.A.

Author_Institution

Dept. de Ciencia da Computacao, Univ. Federale de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

fYear

1992

fDate

16-20 Nov 1992

Firstpage

683

Lastpage

691

Abstract

The authors consider multiprogrammed multiprocessors and parallel programs modeled as random task graphs. A theoretical analytical model for studying combinations of extreme cases of workload parallelism (highly parallel versus highly sequential) and of system utilization (light versus heavy load) is presented. A simulation model was used to study intermediate cases. From these two models, conditions under which heterogeneity presents a significant performance improvement over homogeneous architectures are derived. A study of the effect of scheduling policies for heterogeneous architectures on workloads of different degrees of parallelism under various system load conditions is presented

Keywords

multiprocessing systems; multiprogramming; parallel programming; scheduling; heterogeneity; multiprogrammed multiprocessors; parallel programs; parallel systems; random task graphs; scheduling policies; simulation model; system utilization; workload parallelism; Analytical models; Computational modeling; Computer science; Concurrent computing; Delay; Dynamic scheduling; Multiprocessing systems; Parallel processing; Performance analysis; Processor scheduling;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Supercomputing '92., Proceedings

Conference_Location

Minneapolis, MN

Print_ISBN

0-8186-2630-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/SUPERC.1992.236634

Filename

236634