MicroGrid:

Online Simulation Tools for Grids, Distributed Systems and the Internet

(part of GrADS and VGrADS)

The MicroGrid provides online simulation of large-scale (20,000 router, thousands of resources) network and Grid resources.  By creating a virtual grid environment in which existing middleware and applications can be run unchanged, detailed study of complex dynamic behavior such as scaling, failure responses, and other emergent behavior can be explored.  Key, unique capabilities of MicroGrid include:

·         accurate, validated models of networks, resources, the information services (resource and network metadata)

·         detailed packet-level network modeling with full OSPF and BGP implementations

·         transparent virtualization of resources, networks, and information services, allowing the direct study of complex applications or middleware which are difficult to model

·         efficient load-balance which supports realistic experiments at large-scale (ten thousands of routers, full OSPF/BGP, etc.)

·         integrated “best available” network topology generators and resource generators which enable experiments with large-scale resource environments of today and of the future

·         a controllable infrastructure that enables scientific and systematic experimentation

The MicroGrid complements experimentation with actual grids by supporting exploration of a wide variety of Grid resource configurations and scenarios (such as catastrophic failure) not be possible to exhibit in the actual resource.  Other advantages of MicroGrid include the ability to explore a wide range of resource (network, compute, storage) environments, dynamic competitive loads, reduced experimental effort, and increased observability.

The MicroGrid system supports a range of peer-to-peer and distributed applications.  To demonstrate our capabilities, we support running applications based on Globus. 

Highlights

  • Validation of MicroGrid validated on diverse benchmarks & grid applications (FASTA, Fish, Scalapack) [2001]
  • Integrated realistic topology generators (Brite) and resource generators (own)
  • Demonstrated Scalable Packet-level Simulation  using profile and topology driven graph partitioners [2003]
  • Automatic realistic BGP routing configuration as an improvement to Internet-like topology generation [2004]
  • Large-Scale ISP Simulation (20,000+ routers) based on new hierarchical load-balance and partition  [2004]
  • Experimental study of detailed network behavior under Denial-of-Service attack
  • Reality check of BGP simulation configuration, based on simulation of real Internet AS-level topology (17,000 AS)
  • Release of MicroGrid 2.4.5, May 2004
  • Release of MicroGrid 2.4.6, December 2004

 

 

Plans

  • Simulation of  larger scale networks (targeting on 100,000 routers on a 96 node cluster)
  • MicroGrid-based study of  resource selection and application rescheduling in the VGrADS project

MicroGrid Papers

MicroGrid Package (download)

 

Current Members:  Jing Zhu, Yang-suk Kee, Huaxia Xia, Andrew A. Chien
Former Members: Xin Liu (Paff), Alex Olugbile, Hyojong Song, Denis Jakobsen, Kenjiro Taura, Ranjita Bhagwan, Xianan Zhang


Funding Information

The MicroGrid effort is supported by the National Science Foundation as part of the Grid Applications Development Software project (GrADS), led by Rice University.


Last updated November 24, 2004

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