CSI 801

Assignment #4: More Science in Decay

November 21, 1996

Let's do the timewarp again!
Rocky Horror Picture Show

Simulations Using the Paragon

Description

In this project, you will convert one of your previous codes so it can run efficiently on the Paragon parallel computer. In Assignment 2, we created a code which simulates radioactive decay through a Monte Carlo Process. In this project, convert this code to run on multiple processors on the Paragon. Data from the different processors will be collected and written out at the end of the simulation.

Purpose of the Assignment

The successes we can claim for parallel computing have been mixed at best. However, in problems which involve multiple independent runs, it is both simple and efficient to use parallel machines. In this assignment, students will convert and existing code into one which runs efficiently on the Paragon supercomputer. Only a minimum of communications need to be use for this project, however the basics of parallel computing are needed for completion of the assignment.

Assignment

Required Data

none

Procedure

Compile your hw2 assignment on the paragon. Make sure it works on a single node in a manner consistent with your previous results.
Write routine which reads in the number of simulations requested, and passes this number to each node. Remember, you will have to run N/N_node simulation on each node in the system. Use global communications for this broadcast.
Write the control codes in C or Fortran which communicate all information back to a single node when it is completed. Have the 0th processor wait for information from each of the other N-1 processors.
Have the 0th node processor combine the simulation results into a data single file.
Use global summations to combine the data into a single table. This is an extra step in the simulation and is essentially redudant with the previous step. However, it illustrates the use of global sum operations.

Assignment Requirements

The results from this project should be:

A code which runs on the Paragon.
A short one page summary of how this code performs its function.
A short discussion of ways to improve this code.
A short list of instruction describing how the code is compiled and run.
A makefile for the assigment.

Plots

No plots are needed. However, you may wish to create a diagram of how this code works. (This is completely optional.)

Placing it On-Line

When you have produced all the plots, create a web page for this assignment named "pa4.html and place it in your "public_html" directory. Make sure I can access it through the web. On this page, you should have links to your summary, your graphs(optional), you programs, and the Makefile. Make sure the links work through the net.

If you absolutely cannot get the graphics into a form which can be viewed on the Web, I will accept paper copies of the assignments with no deduction in credit. However, it is much cooler to have them on-line and is more effective at showcasing your ablilities to possible employers.