Hypercube Dynamic Load Balancing

This paper reports on the results of a preliminary study in dynamic load balancing on an Intel Hypercube. The purpose of this research is to provide experimental data in how parallel algorithms should be constructed to obtain maximal utilization of a parallel architecture. This study is one aspect of an ongoing research project into the construction of an automated parallelization tool. This tool will take FORTRAN source as input, and construct a parallel algorithm that will produce the same results as the original serial input. The focus of this paper is on the load balancing aspect of that project. The basic idea is to reserve a certain percentage of the computation task, subdivide that percentage into arbitrarily fine tasks, and dole those small tasks out to nodes on request. Ij” the percentage is chosen correctly, then a minority of nodes should be involved in consuming the filler tasks, and the overall throughput of the job should increase as a result of the individual node efJciencies having increased. This paper will outline our approach to performing dynamic load balancing on an Intel iPSC/2. We take the view that the problem of load balancing is really a problem of dividing a “computational task” into smaller components, each of roughly equal complexity, and each an independent event. After this is done, the components of the task can be sent to a node for execution. The key to an optimally balanced load across all computational nodes is the ability to form a statistical profile of the individual components of each computational task. This statistical profile will determine an initial sequence of execution. Our experience indicates that a speedup on the order of 80% is achievable with the judicious use of profiled load balancing. During the process of execution, the initial profile will be altered according to the actual behavior exhibited by the nodes. The difference between the actual and expected performance will be used to determine how much additional time should be devoted to altering the current execution schedule. Currently, our work involves statically setting the load balancing parameters. Our load balancing system determines the execution schedule