LISPACK-a methodology and tool for the performance analysis of parallel systems and algorithms

The performance analysis of parallel algorithms and systems is considered. For these, numerical solutions methods quickly show their limits because of the enormous state-space growth. The proposed methodology and software tool, list-manipulation parallel-modeling package (LISPACK) uses string manipulation, lumping, and recursive elimination to define the large Markovian process, its restructuring, and efficient solution. The analysis of a typical parallel system and algorithm model is developed as a case study, to discuss the features of the method. The paper has two contributions. The first is the symbolic-approach methodology proposed for the performance analysis of parallel algorithms and systems. The second is a tool that exploits the capabilities of the symbolic approach in the solution of parallel models, where the numerical techniques reveal their limits