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Feb.
3, 2003 |
Uniting With Only a Few Random Links: Findings
Reported in Science
Information about highly complex systems, such
as the spread of diseases, the rise and fall of financial markets,
or cell-phone communication networks, benefit from large-scale
networked computer simulation.
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Thomas Griffin
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These simulations are frequently implemented using
large networks of computers that break down the problem into many
parts. Tackling weighty problems, bit by byte, allows the simulation
process to run faster — sometimes.
The problem comes when the computers have to compare
notes, says Gyorgy Korniss, assistant professor of physics at
Rensselaer. Korniss' solution is to use "small-world"
networking — which links a computer to its nearest neighbor,
and also a few other random computers in the group. Korniss' findings
are published in the Jan. 31 issue of the journal Science
(PDF).
Korniss' research could lead to better parallel-computing
techniques for simulation. Parallel computing divides a task among
many smaller computers instead of one large one to do the job
faster and more efficiently.
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"Enormous amounts of additional time
or memory are required for computers to keep track of information
they need from each other to create accurate simulations."
The solution, according to Korniss, lies with
creating a "small world"-like communication network
in which the individual computers randomly "check in"
with each other to make sure they are in sync.
— Gyorgy Korniss—
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Typically, each computer in a network is connected
to its closest "neighbor." But getting information from
the machine next door doesn't allow each computer to get the whole
picture of what the entire neighborhood is doing. When one system
is collecting data at a greater pace than another, the result
is a data traffic jam, causing a major slowdown in the simulation
process.
"Enormous amounts of additional time or memory
are required for computers to keep track of information they need
from each other to create accurate simulations," Korniss
says.
The solution, according to Korniss, lies with
creating a "small world"-like communication network
in which the individual computers randomly "check in"
with each other to make sure they are in sync. To read more go
to Press
Release.
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