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Methodologies and Tools for Tuning Parallel Programs: 80% Art, 20% Science, and 10% LuckThe need for computing power has forced a migration from serial computation on a single processor to parallel processing on multiprocessors. However, without effective means to monitor (and analyze) program execution, tuning the performance of parallel programs becomes exponentially difficult as program complexity and machine size increase. In the past few years, the ubiquitous introduction of performance tuning tools from various supercomputer vendors (Intel's ParAide, TMC's PRISM, CRI's Apprentice, and Convex's CXtrace) seems to indicate the maturity of performance instrumentation/monitor/tuning technologies and vendors'/customers' recognition of their importance. However, a few important questions remain: What kind of performance bottlenecks can these tools detect (or correct)? How time consuming is the performance tuning process? What are some important technical issues that remain to be tackled in this area? This workshop reviews the fundamental concepts involved in analyzing and improving the performance of parallel and heterogeneous message-passing programs. Several alternative strategies will be contrasted, and for each we will describe how currently available tuning tools (e.g. AIMS, ParAide, PRISM, Apprentice, CXtrace, ATExpert, Pablo, IPS-2) can be used to facilitate the process. We will characterize the effectiveness of the tools and methodologies based on actual user experiences at NASA Ames Research Center. Finally, we will discuss their limitations and outline recent approaches taken by vendors and the research community to address them.
Document ID
20020038585
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Yan, Jerry C.
(MRJ, Inc. Moffett Field, CA United States)
Bailey, David
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1996
Subject Category
Computer Systems
Meeting Information
Meeting: European Parallel Tools Meeting
Location: Chatillon
Country: France
Start Date: October 23, 1996
End Date: October 25, 1996
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 509-10-31
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS2-14303
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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