A scalable framework for parallel discrete event simulations on desktop grids

Abstract

Utilizing desktop grid infrastructures is challenging for parallel discrete event simulation (POES) codes due to characteristics such as inter-process messaging, restricted execution, and overall lower concurrency than typical volunteer computing projects. The Aurora2 system uses an approach that simultaneously provides both replicated execution support and scalable performance of PDES applications through public resource computing. This is accomplished through a multithreaded distributed back-end system, low overhead communications middleware, and an efficient client implementation. This paper describes the Aurora2 architecture and issues pertinent to PDES executions in a desktop grid environment that must be addressed when distributing back-end services across multiple machines. We quantify improvement over the first generation Aurora system through a comparative performance study detailing PDES programs with various scalability characteristics for execution over desktop grids.