A grid-based DEVS approach to dynamic load balancing for large scale distributed simulations

Dynamic load balancing is a key factor in achieving high performance for large scale distributed simulations on grid infrastructures. In a grid environment, the available resources and the simulation's computation and communication behavior may experience run-time critical imbalances. Consequently, an initial static partitioning should be combined with a dynamic load balancing scheme to ensure the high performance of the distributed simulation. Many improved or novel dynamic load balancing designs have been proposed in recent years, which aim to improve the distributed simulation performance. Such designs are in general non-formalized, and the realizations of the designs are highly time-consuming and error-prone practices. In this paper, we propose a formal dynamic load balancing design approach using Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS). We discuss the feasibility of using DEVS and, as an additional step; we consider studying a recently proposed design through a formalized DEVS model system. Our focus is how a DEVS component-based formalized design approach can predict some of the key design factors before the design is realized, or can further validate and consolidate realized dynamic load balancing designs.