Methodology for evaluating parallel I/O performance for massively parallel processors

Abstract

Accurate performance modelling of massively-parallel processors (MPPs) is a complex and arduous task. While some work has been done in evaluating the performance of processors and memory systems for MPPs, much less work has been done in evaluating the performance of parallel I/O subsystems. This paper presents a hybrid methodology for evaluating the performance of parallel I/O subsystems using PIOS, a simulator for parallel I/O, and an analytical model. The results show a performance accuracy within 13 percent of a full simulation model. This hybrid methodology has a broad application for evaluating the performance of many types of diverse systems.