A performance simulation technique for distributed programs: application to an SOR iterative solver

In this paper we present the application of an approach for the performance prediction of message passing programs, to a PVM code implementing an iterative solver based on the Successive OverRelaxation method. The approach, based on the integration of static program analysis and simulation techniques, is aimed at significantly speeding up the time needed for simulating the execution of a message passing program. We show how the proposed technique can provide, in a reasonable elaboration time, the user for a characterization of iterative regular programs as the proposed one, in terms of idle-, cpu-, communication and synchronization time in Heterogeneous and Network Computing environments.