Checkpointing schemes for high-performance parallel applications in networks of workstations

In this thesis, a low interprocessor communication overhead and high performance data parallelism parallel application model in a network of workstations (NOWs) is proposed. Checkpointing and rollback technologies are used in this model for performance enhancement purpose. The proposed model is analyzed both theoretically and numerically. The simulation results show that a high performance of the parallel application model is expected. As a case study, the proposed model is used to the parallel Everglades Landscape Fire Model (ELFM) code which was developed by South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The parallel programming environment is Message-Passing Interface (MPI). A synchronous checkpointing and rollback mechanism is used to handle the spread of fire which is a dynamic and irregular component of the model. Results show that the performance of the parallel ELFM using MPI is significantly enhanced by the application of checkpointing and rollback.