Evolution and research applications of an objected-oriented framework for architectural simulation

This paper describes the results of a long-term effort to develop and enhance a simulation framework called Quasar in support of research in computer architecture and its applications. Quasar is an object-oriented simulation tool that incorporates a front-end simulator for tracing instructions and a back-end simulator for modeling the interactions of system components through message-passing between objects. Particular attention has been given to simulation of multiprocessor systems with this tool. Over several years, simulation efficiency and utility have been unproved with numerous enhancements, including run-time configuration of simulations from specification files, tighter coupling of the front and back ends for increased execution efficiency, and dynamic graphical visualization of simulated performance metrics. The framework has proven its value through its use by several students to pursue graduate research on computing architectures for networking and stream-oriented applications.