Compiler Techniques for Flat Neighborhood Networks

Abstract

A Flat Neighborhood Network (FNN) is a new interconnection network architecture that can provide very low latency and high bisection bandwidth at a minimal cost for large clusters. However, unlike more traditional designs, FNNs generally are not symmetric. Thus, although an FNN by definition offers a certain base level of performance for random communication patterns, both the network design and communication (routing) schedules can be optimized to make specific communication patterns achieve significantly more than the basic performance. The primary mechanism for design of both the network and communication schedules is a set of genetic search algorithms (GAs) that derive good designs from specifications of particular communication patterns. This paper centers on the use of these GAs to compile the network wiring pattern, basic routing tables, and code for specific communication patterns that will use an optimized schedule rather than simply applying the basic routing.