D. Abramson +
R. Sosic +
J. Giddy &
B. Hall *
+ School of Computing and Information Technology
Griffith University
Kessels Rd, Brisbane,
Queensland, 4111
{davida, sosic}@cit.gu.edu.au
Phone: +61-7-875 5049
Fax: +61-7-875 5051
& Co-operative Research Centre for
Distributed Systems Technology
jon@cit.gu.edu.au
* School of Science,
Griffith University
This paper discusses Nimrod, a tool for performing parametised simulations over networks of loosely coupled workstations. Using Nimrod the user interactively generates a parametised experiment. Nimrod then controls the distribution of jobs to machines and the collection of results. A simple graphical user interface which is built for each application allows the user to view the simulation in terms of their problem domain. The current version of Nimrod is implemented above OSF DCE and runs on DEC Alpha and IBM RS6000 workstations (including a 22 node SP2). Two different case studies are discussed as an illustration of the utility of the system.