Capacity Testing HYPERchannel-Based Local Area Network

摘要

Given the amount of resources they have invested in their local area network, network managers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have an abiding if not critical interest in determining its remaining life span. Using a hardware monitor, researchers at Livermore have tested the capacity of their mature (over 10 years old), heavily loaded (5 Crays, 3 Ethernet gateways, 13 terminal concentrators, 5000 terminal, 40 node) two-trunk, HYPERchannel based, high data rate local area network. Results indicate that the current load could be intensified by 40% before the network reaches saturation. Further, as the load approaches saturation, overly persistent, low-level protocols begin thrashing, effectively destabilizing the network and destroying much of its potential capacity. Finally, it is clear what steps need to be taken to extend its life span and improve its performance under heavy loads. 7 refs., 9 figs. (ERA citation 13:027409)