Title
Efficient parallel simulation of large-scale neuronal networks on clusters of multiprocessor computers
Abstract
To understand the principles of information processing in the brain, we depend on models with more than 105 neurons and 109 connections. These networks can be described as graphs of threshold elements that exchange point events over their connections. From the computer science perspective, the key challenges are to represent the connections succinctly; to transmit events and update neuron states efficiently; and to provide a comfortable user interface. We present here the neural simulation tool NEST, a neuronal network simulator which addresses all these requirements. To simulate very large networks with acceptable time and memory requirements, NEST uses a hybrid strategy, combining distributed simulation across cluster nodes (MPI) with thread-based simulation on each computer. Benchmark simulations of a computationally hard biological neuronal network model demonstrate that hybrid parallelization yields significant performance benefits on clusters of multi-core computers, compared to purely MPIbased distributed simulation.
Year
DOI
Venue
2007
10.1007/978-3-540-74466-5_71
Euro-Par
Keywords
Field
DocType
connections succinctly,efficient parallel simulation,hybrid parallelization yield,hybrid strategy,computer science perspective,multi-core computer,computationally hard biological neuronal,multiprocessor computer,neural simulation tool,thread-based simulation,large-scale neuronal network,benchmark simulation,large network,information processing,user interface,neuronal network
Cluster (physics),Graph,Large networks,Parallel simulation,Information processing,Computer science,Parallel computing,Multiprocessing,User interface,Biological neural network,Distributed computing
Conference
Volume
ISSN
ISBN
4641
0302-9743
3-540-74465-7
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
33
2.20
9
Authors
5
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Hans E Plesser113320.47
Jochen M Eppler225013.52
Abigail Morrison376153.95
Markus Diesmann41692129.76
Marc-oliver Gewaltig548340.35