Parsim-message PAssing computeR SIMulator

The task of predicting the performance of an application on a new platform given its performance on a particular computer system is fairly difficult. Significant degree of exhaustive modeling of both algorithms and architectures is required before a reasonable prediction can be attempted. This paper describes a general purpose simulator for message passing multiprocessors (Parsim), which facilitates system modeling. Besides monitoring a number of system parameters, Parsim permits easy reconfiguration of topology and algorithm mappings. Parsim has been used to predict the performance of a number of different algorithms such as Fast Fourier Transform, Livermore loops and integer programming, on a variety of topologies such as transputer hypercubes, transputer meshes and a cluster of workstations on an ethernet backbone