A model for resource-aware load balancing on heterogeneous clusters.

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 UTC 2005 · Proposed for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems.

OSTI ID:970704

Devine, Karen Dragon; Flaherty, Joseph E ^[1]; Teresco, James Douglas ^[2]; Gervasio, Luis G ^[1]; Faik, Jamal ^[1]

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1. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
2. Williams College, Williamstown, MA

We address the problem of partitioning and dynamic load balancing on clusters with heterogeneous hardware resources. We propose DRUM, a model that encapsulates hardware resources and their interconnection topology. DRUM provides monitoring facilities for dynamic evaluation of communication, memory, and processing capabilities. Heterogeneity is quantified by merging the information from the monitors to produce a scalar number called 'power.' This power allows DRUM to be used easily by existing load-balancing procedures such as those in the Zoltan Toolkit while placing minimal burden on application programmers. We demonstrate the use of DRUM to guide load balancing in the adaptive solution of a Laplace equation on a heterogeneous cluster. We observed a significant reduction in execution time compared to traditional methods.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 970704
• Report Number(s): SAND2005-2793J
• Journal Information: Proposed for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems., Journal Name: Proposed for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems.
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
DYNAMIC LOADS
EVALUATION
LAPLACE EQUATION
MONITORING
MONITORS
PROCESSING
SCALARS
TOPOLOGY