39th POP Webinar “ParaViz3D: MPI Trace Visualization with 3D Video” on February 23
The 39th POP webinar takes place in February, provided by the Performance Optimisation and Productivity CoE. Find further information and the registration at the official webpage of the event.
Topic: ParaViz3D: MPI Trace Visualization with 3D Video
Speaker: Jean-Yves Verhaeghe, NHR@FAU
Date: February 23, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. CET
Location: Online via Zoom (get the link after the registration)
Abstract:
Conventional MPI trace visualizations become unwieldy as the number of processes increases. Identifying global patterns is challenging, and both the underlying machine topology and parallel program structure are often obscured by the rigid two-dimensional rank-time graphs. To address these limitations, we propose a three-dimensional video visualization of MPI programs that adapts its spatial layout with both the machine topology and the parallel decomposition of the numerical problem while mapping process time evolution to actual video playback time.
Using Blender, we developed a framework that automatically translates MPI trace data into 3D visual scenes. In this webinar, we explore various display choices, including color-time gradients and transparency, to enhance interpretability. Our approach provides a new, intuitive exploration of both large-scale and local behaviors and patterns. We showcase the utility of this method with idle wave and process desynchronization phenomena. In ongoing work, we use the experience gained with the Blender-based workflow to develop an interactive, browser-based tool that can also be used in VR environments.