Understanding performance of SMP clusters running MPI programs

摘要

Clusters of multiprocessors (CLUMPs) have an hybrid memory model, with message passing between nodes and shared memory inside nodes. We examine the performance of Myrinet clusters of SMP PCs when using a single memory model (SMM) based on the MPICH-PM/CLUMP library of the RWCP which can directly use the MPI programs written for a cluster of uniprocessors. The specificities of the communication patterns with the SMM approach are detailed. PC clusters with 2-way and 4-way nodes are considered and compared.