Optimal multicast communication in wormhole-routed torus networks

This paper presents efficient algorithms that implement one-to-many, or multicast, communication in wormhole-routed torus networks. By exploiting the properties of the switching technology and the use of virtual channels, a minimum-time multicast algorithm is presented for n-dimensional torus networks that use deterministic, dimension-ordered routing of unicast messages. The algorithm can deliver a multicast message to m-1 destinations in [log₂ m] message-passing steps, while avoiding contention among the constituent unicast messages. Performance results of a simulation study on torus networks with up to 4096 nodes are also given     

Pseudo-cycle-based multicast routing in wormhole-routed networks

This paper addresses the problem of fault-tolerant multicast routing in wormholerouted multicomputers.A new pseudo-cycle-based routing method is presented for constructing deadlock-free multicast routing algorithms.With at most two virtual channels this technique can be applied to any connected networks with arbitrary topologies.Simulation results show that this technique results in negligible performance degradation even in the presence of a large number of faulty nodes.     

Efficient path-based multicast in wormhole-routed mesh networks

The capability of multidestination wormhole allows a message to be propagated along any valid path in a wormhole-routed network conforming to the underlying base routing scheme. The multicast on the path-based routing model is highly dependent on the spatial locality of destinations participating in multicasting. In this paper, we propose two proximity grouping schemes for efficient multicast in wormhole-routed mesh networks with multidestination capability by exploiting the spatial locality of the destination set. The first grouping scheme, graph-based proximity grouping, is proposed to group the destinations together with locality to construct several disjoint sub-meshes. This is achieved by modeling the proximity grouping problem to graph partitioning problem. The second one, pattern-based proximity grouping, is proposed by the pattern classification schemes to achieve the goal of the proximity grouping. By simulation results, we show the routing performance gains over the traditional Hamiltonian-path routing scheme.     

Unicast-based fault-tolerant multicasting in wormhole-routed hypercubes

A unicast-based fault-tolerant multicasting method is proposed for hypercubes, which can still work well when the system contains enough faults. A multicast message may be unable to reach a destination if Hamming distance between the destination and the multicast source is large enough. A multicast message fails if any one of the destinations is unreachable from the source. An effective destination ordering scheme of the destinations is proposed for one-port systems first, it is extended to all-port systems for unicast-based fault-tolerant multicasting. Unreachable destinations from the source based on the local safety information are forwarded to a reachable destination, where the multicast message can be routed reliably. Destination ordering is completed based on Hamming distance. A multiple round p-cube routing scheme is presented for a deadlock-free fault-tolerant routing for each unicast step in hypercubes, where the same virtual channel is used for each round of p-cube routing. Sufficient simulation results are presented by comparing with the previous methods.     

Optimal software multicast in wormhole-routed multistage networks

Multistage interconnection networks are a popular class of interconnection architecture for constructing scalable parallel computers (SPCs). The focus of this paper is on the multistage network system which supports wormhole routed turnaround routing. Existing machines characterized by such a system model include the IBM SP-1 and SP-2, TMC CM-5, and Meiko CS-2. Efficient collective communication among processor nodes is critical to the performance of SPCs. A system-level multicast service, in which the same message is delivered from a source node to an arbitrary number of destination nodes, is fundamental in supporting collective communication primitives including the application-level broadcast, reduction, and barrier synchronization. This paper addresses how to efficiently implement multicast services in wormhole-routed multistage networks, in the absence of hardware multicast support, by exploiting the properties of the turnaround switching technology. An optimal multicast algorithm is proposed. The results of implementations on a 64-node SP-1 show that the proposed algorithm significantly outperforms the application-level broadcast primitives provided by currently existing collective communication libraries including the public domain MPI     

Communication modeling of multicast in all-port wormhole-routed NoCs

Multicast is one of the most frequently used collective communication operations in multi-core SoC platforms. Bus as the traditional interconnect architecture for SoC development has been highly efficient in delivering multicast messages. Since the bus is non-scalable, it can not address the bandwidth requirements of the large SoCs. The networks on-chip (NoCs) emerged as a scalable alternative to address the increasing communication demands of such systems. However, due to its hop-to-hop communication, the NoCs may not be able to deliver multicast operations as efficiently as buses do. Adopting multi-port routers has been an approach to improve the performance of the multicast operations in interconnection networks. This paper presents a novel analytical model to compute communication latency of the multicast operation in wormhole-routed interconnection networks employing asynchronous multi-port routers scheme. The model is applied to the Quarc NoC and its validity is verified by comparing the model predictions against the results obtained from a discrete-event simulator developed using OMNET++.     

Multicast communication in wormhole-routed 2D torus networks with hamiltonian cycle model

In this paper, we propose an efficient multipath multicast routing algorithm in wormhole-routed 2D torus networks. We first introduce a hamiltonian cycle model for exploiting the feature of torus networks. Based on this model, we find a hamiltonian cycle in torus networks. Then, an efficient multipath multicast routing algorithm with hamiltonian cycle model (mulitpath-HCM) is presented. The proposed multipath multicast routing algorithm utilizes communication channels more uniformly in order to reduce the path length of the routing messages, making the multicasting more efficient. Simulation results show that the multicast latency of the proposed multipath-HCM routing algorithm is superior to that of fixed and dual-path routing algorithms.     

Collective communication in wormhole-routed massively parallelcomputers

Most MPC networks use wormhole routing to reduce the effect of path length on communication time. Researchers have exploited this by designing ingenious algorithms to speed collective communication. Many projects have addressed the design of efficient collective communication algorithms for wormhole-routed systems. By exploiting the relative distance-insensitivity of wormhole routing, these new algorithms often differ fundamentally from their store-and-forward counterparts. We examine software and hardware approaches to implementing collective communication operations. Although we emphasize methods in which the underlying architecture is a direct network, such as a hypercube or mesh, as opposed to an indirect switch-based network, several approaches apply to systems of either type. We illustrate several issues arising in this research area and describe the major classes of algorithms proposed to solve these problems     

Performance evaluation of multicast communication in packet-switched networks

In this paper we describe the theoretical background and practical application of QNA-MC (queueing network analyser supporting multicast), a tool for the analytical evaluation of multicast protocols. QNA-MC is based on the QNA method, which (approximately) analyses open networks of GI|G|m queues. In contrast to standard QNA, QNA-MC allows for the specification and evaluation of multicast routes. As in real multicast communication, packets leaving a particular node can be copied and deterministically routed to several other nodes. In order to analyse such queueing networks, QNA-MC converts the multicast routes to a suitable input for standard QNA. From the results delivered by QNA, QNA-MC then derives several performance measures for multicast streams in the network. A validation of QNA-MC, via a comparison to simulation results, shows that QNA-MC yields very good results. Finally, we give a detailed application example by evaluating different multicast routing algorithms for a realistic video conferencing scenario in the European MBONE.     

Barrier synchronization on wormhole-routed networks

In this paper, we propose an efficient barrier synchronization scheme on networks with arbitrary topologies. We first present a distributed method in building a barrier routing tree. The barrier messages can be delivered adaptively according to the hierarchy of the established barrier tree to void congestion and faulty nodes in the network. We then propose a new technique, called bandwidth-preempting technique, for a blocked barrier message to preempt a channel occupied by a data message so that the latency of a barrier message can be controlled without affecting much of the overall system performance. We also propose an analytical performance model and present simulation results for the performance evaluation of the proposed scheme. Performance evaluations show that the proposed scheme outperforms the existing algorithms for barrier synchronization     

All-to-all personalized communication in a wormhole-routed torus

All-to-all personalized communication, or complete exchange, is at the heart of numerous applications in parallel computing. It is one of the most dense communication patterns. In this paper, we consider this problem in a torus of any dimension with the wormhole-routing capability. We propose complete exchange algorithms that use optimal numbers of phases (if each side of the tori is a multiple of eight) or asymptotically optimal numbers of phases (otherwise). Interestingly, in order to achieve this, we only make weak assumptions-that a node is capable of sending and receiving at most one message at a time, and the network is capable of supporting the dimension-ordered (or e-cube) minimum routing     

Performance analysis of multicast algorithms for mobile satellite communication networks

With the rise of mobile computing and an increasing need for ubiquitous high-speed data connections, Internet-in-the-sky solutions are becoming increasingly viable. To reduce the network overhead of one-to-many transmissions, the multicast protocol has been devised. The implementation of multicast in these low earth orbit (LEO) constellations is a critical component to achieving an omnipresent network environment. This paper examines the system performance associated with two terrestrial-based multicast mobility solutions, distance vector multicast routing protocol (DVMRP) with mobile IP and on demand multicast routing protocol (ODMRP). These protocols are implemented and simulated in a satellite LEO constellation. Results from the simulation trials show the ODMRP protocol provided greater than 99% reliability in packet deliverability, at the cost of more than 8 bits of overhead for every 1 bit of data for multicast groups with multiple sources. In contrast, DVMRP proved robust and scalable, with data-to-overhead ratios increasing logarithmically with membership levels. DVMRP also had less than 70 ms of average end-to-end delay, providing stable transmissions at high loading and membership levels.     

TMCP: Two-layer multicast communication protocol for Bluetooth radio networks

Bluetooth is a low power, low cost, and short-range wireless technology developed for Personal Area Networks (PANs). A Bluetooth multicast group is a set of Bluetooth devices that desire for periodically receiving the multicast messages from the same source. For reducing the propagation delay and saving the bandwidth and energy consumptions, a multicast tree which connects all multicast members serves for the delivery of multicast messages. However, a given connected scatternet topology may not be appropriate for constructing an efficient multicast tree and hence causes power consumption and end-to-end delay. This paper develops a two-layer multicast communication protocol (TMCP) using role switching techniques for constructing an efficient multicast tree. The proposed TMCP collects as many as possible the members into the same piconet, reduces the length of multicast paths and assigns each member with a proper role. The constructed multicast tree has several features including as few as possible the non-member devices, the smallest tree level and the minimal propagation delay. Experiment results show that the TMCP offers efficient multicast service with low power consumption and small delay.     

The message flow model for routing in wormhole-routed networks

In this paper, we introduce a new approach to deadlock-free routing in wormhole-routed networks called the message flow model. This method may be used to develop deterministic, partially-adaptive, and fully-adaptive routing algorithms for wormhole-routed networks with arbitrary topologies. We first establish the necessary and sufficient condition for deadlock free routing, based on the analysis of the message flow on each channel. We then use the model to develop new adaptive routing algorithms for 2D meshes     

A general theory for deadlock avoidance in wormhole-routed networks

Most machines of the last generation of distributed memory parallel computers possess specific routers which are used to exchange messages between nonneighboring nodes in the network. Among the several technologies, wormhole routing is usually preferred because it allows low channel-setup time and reduces the dependency between latency and internode distance. However, wormhole routing is very susceptible to deadlock because messages are allowed to hold many resources while requesting others. Therefore, designing deadlock-free routing algorithms using few hardware facilities is a major problem for wormhole-routed networks. In this paper, we describe a general theoretical framework for the study of deadlock-free routing functions. We give a general definition of what can be a routing function. This definition captures many specific definitions of the literature (e.g., vertex dependent, input-dependent, source-dependent, path-dependent etc.). Using our definition, we give a necessary and sufficient condition which characterizes deadlock-free routing functions. Our theory embraces, at a high level, most of the theories related to deadlock avoidance in wormhole-routed networks previously derived in the literature. In particular, it applies not only to one-to-one routing, but also to one-to-many routing. The latter paradigm is used to solve the multicast problem with the path-based or tree-based facility     

A trip-based multicasting model in wormhole-routed networks withvirtual channels

This paper focuses on efficient multicasting in wormhole-routed networks. A trip-based model is proposed to support adaptive, distributed, and deadlock-free multiple multicast on any network with arbitrary topology using at most two virtual channels per physical channel. This model significantly generalizes the path-based model proposed earlier which works only for Hamiltonian networks and cannot be applicable to networks with arbitrary topology resulted due to system faults. Fundamentals of the trip-based model, including the necessary and sufficient condition to be deadlock-free, and the use of appropriate number of virtual channels to avoid deadlock are investigated. The potential of this model is illustrated by applying it to hypercubes with faulty nodes. Simulation results indicate that the proposed model can implement multiple multicast on faulty hypercubes with negligible performance degradation     

A broadcast algorithm for all-port wormhole-routed torus networks

A new approach to broadcast in wormhole-routed two- and three-dimensional torus networks is proposed. The underlying network is assumed to support only deterministic, dimension-ordered unicast routing. The approach extends the graph theoretical concept of dominating nodes by accounting for the relative distance-insensitivity of the wormhole routing switching strategy. The proposed algorithm also takes advantage of an all-port communication architecture, which allows each node to simultaneously transmit messages on different outgoing channels. The resulting broadcast operation is based on a tree structure that uses multiple levels of extended dominating nodes(EDNs). Performance results are presented that confirm the advantage of this method over other approaches     

Nonblocking k-fold multicast networks

Multicast communication involves transmitting information from a single source to multiple destinations and is a requirement in high-performance networks. Current trends in networking applications indicate an increasing demand in future networks for multicast capability. Many multicast applications require not only multicast capability, but also predictable communication performance such as guaranteed multicast latency and bandwidth. In this paper, we present a design for a nonblocking k-fold multicast network, in which any destination node can be involved in up to k simultaneous multicast connections in a nonblocking manner. We also develop an efficient routing algorithm for the network. As can be seen, a k-fold multicast network has significantly lower network cost than that of k copies of ordinary 1-fold multicast networks and is a cost effective choice for supporting arbitrary multicast communication.     

SMDS multicast support in ATM networks

In this paper we show that an ATM network equipped with Connectionless Servers (which are interconnected by a CLS overlay network) can adequately support SMDS multicasting as well as other key SMDS features. We argue that multicast traffic is most efficiently transmitted on multicast trees, and propose a scheme for the computation and maintenance of such trees exploiting the underlying routing procedure. We then review a number of CLS network design options and variables, namely, encapsulation, on-the-fly transmission, packet dropping and virtual topology. We evaluate the impact of these choices on the multicast service.     

Nonblocking WDM multicast switching networks

With ever increasing demands on bandwidth from emerging bandwidth-intensive applications, such as video conferencing, E-commerce, and video-on-demand services, there has been an acute need for very high bandwidth transport network facilities. Optical networks are a promising candidate for this type of applications. At the same time, many bandwidth-intensive applications require multicast services for efficiency purposes. Multicast has been extensively studied in the parallel processing and electronic networking community and has started to receive attention in the optical network community recently. In particular, as WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) networks emerge, supporting WDM multicast becomes increasingly attractive. In this paper, we consider efficient designs of multicast-capable WDM switching networks, which are significantly different and, hence, require nontrivial extensions from their electronic counterparts. We first discuss various multicast models in WDM networks and analyze the nonblocking multicast capacity and network cost under these models. We then propose two methods to construct nonblocking multistage WDM networks to reduce the network cost