Distributed Simulation via Virtual Machine Cloud Implementation

Abstract

After the advent of Cloud, the speed of computing has become faster and the utilization of resources, efficient. Most of the simulations require hours of running time based on number of runs given (generally in the order of 100s or 1000s). This after completion gives the result of the parameters mentioned in the present run. So, in order to again test/simulate after making the desired changes in the simulation, it will again take a lot of time. This led to the idea of having the jobs to be executed in a distributed manner with the help of cloud and submit the job with different parameters and in the end conglomerate it to get the results. The cloud forms a network of interconnected computers which act as a single computational resource and allows the user to perform the required simulation using their own image of the cloud. The image is modifiable and the user has the privilege to make changes and allow different simulations as per their need. Distributed Simulation on cloud using Virtual Machine image, a concept of an environment where the user can have the flexibility of choosing the simulation and running jobs simultaneously on cloud. Objective - To allow for the users to have the cloud implemented image of the virtual machine, modified individually and according to the specific user, to run in an environment which will foster the job to use all available and feasible resources so as to complete the task in a much lesser time (provided the machines are up and running in the cloud). So for the purpose of creating the cloud which may address the needs of the users with their simulations, I have chosen the Open source cloud platform OpenStack. OpenStack, a cloud-computing project, aims to provide the ubiquitous open source cloud computing platform for public and private clouds. Predominantly acting as an infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform, it is free and open-source software released under the terms of the Apache License. This cloud being deployed in the Ubuntu flavor of Linux, which is the most widely used flavor for simulation, provides easy accessibility for simulations to users. Initially the Openstack will be used as Paas for providing the users a platform to run simulations. As a part of testing, it will be tested with Ns-2 simulations which is generally the most widely used simulator.