The International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis
The International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis
Poster Type: Research Posters
Author: Jean-Yves Verhaeghe (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen National High Performance Computing Center), Georg Hager (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen National High Performance Computing Center), Ayesha Afzal (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen National High Performance Computing Center)
Supervisor:
Abstract: Conventional MPI trace visualizations become unwieldy as the number of processes increases. Identifying global patterns is challenging, and both the underlying machine topology and parallel program structure are often obscured by the rigid two-dimensional rank-time graphs. To address these limitations, we propose a three-dimensional video visualization of MPI programs that adapts its spatial layout to both the machine topology and the parallel decomposition of the numerical problem, while mapping process time evolution to actual video playback time.
Using Blender, we develop a framework that automatically translates MPI trace data into 3D visual scenes. We explore various display choices, including color-time gradients and transparency, to enhance interpretability. Our approach provides a new, intuitive exploration of both large-scale and local behaviors and patterns. We showcase the utility of this method with idle wave and process desynchronization phenomena.
Best Poster Finalist (BP): no
Poster: PDF
Poster Summary: PDF