Distributed discrete event simulation using the three-phase approach and Java

Abstract

The recent rapid growth in the Internet and the use of this technology for corporate intranets presents new opportunities for parallel discrete event simulation. Previously, this was the province of specialist groups with dedicated computer facilities, whereas it is now feasible to use small PCs that communicate via TCP/IP. This paper describes research in distributed discrete event simulation using the three-phase approach and implemented in Java using standard Internet technologies. Two specific implementations are described, one for client/server work and the other a distributed, parallel simulator using conservative synchronisation protocols. The problem of managing shared states with competing resources is specifically discussed. They demonstrate proof of concept and contain important aspects of detailed implementation, but have not been used for experimentation to estimate aspects such as speed or message loads.