High Performance Computing Products

1. High Performance Computing Products State-of-the-art development software for high performance simulations . . . http://www.metsci.com http://www.speedes.com

2. Metron’s High Performance Computing Products Metron develops and provides a range of High Performance Computing products and services designed for the needs of the modeling and simulation community. Metron's HPCD provides modeling and simulation tools that exploit the latest advances in hardware technology: high performance multi-processor computers with high speed communications, networks of computers that allow federations of simulations via High Level Architecture (HLA) runtime infrastructures, and control software for Monte Carlo simulations distributed over networks.

3. Proxy Management Data Distribution Management Declaration Management Routing Grid Object Proxies Engine Command Line Applications HLA Gateway Engine (Unified Application Program Interface) External Interfaces Proxy Utilities State Manager Rollback Utilities Communications General Utilities Utilities SPEEDES Synchronous Parallel Engine for Emulation and Discrete-Event Simulation The SPEEDES simulation engine allows the simulation builder to perform optimistic parallel processing on high performance computers, networks of workstations, or combinations of networked computers and HPC platforms. Applications that can make use of SPEEDES are typically time-constrained (too many events to process in a limited amount of time). SPEEDES is also designed to implement HLA federations of simulations. What does the SPEEDES product consist of? In addition to the core engine, Metron has built a comprehensive simulation framework and development environment. The current version of SPEEDES incorporates many features to better support a wide range of platforms, communication protocols, and operating systems, and provides simplified interfaces to user applications and superior software to implement federation with other simulations.

4. SPEEDES (Continued) How does it work? SPEEDES allocates events over multiple processors to attain simulation speed-up. This characteristic improves runtime, especially when utilizing the very large number of processors and the high speed internal communications found in High Performance Computing (HPC) platforms. The foundation of SPEEDES is built upon innovative optimistic-processing algorithms patented by NASA. These algorithms allow each processor to race ahead with an assigned set of events, create messages, etc., without regard to processing on other CPUs.  Then, whenever a ‘straggler’ message arrives at a CPU that invalidates the processing that has been going on at that CPU, the processing is rolled back and any messages sent as a result of the invalid processing are cancelled.  Other CPUs that receive message cancellations may then be rolled back, and so on.  This ability allows the user to balance at-risk forward processing of events, which may have to be undone and re-processed, with risk-free forward processing of events whose output messages can be held until needed by other events. What are the benefits? SPEEDES-based object-oriented simulations that run on HPC platforms are able to address extremely complex problems and incorporate incredibly high fidelity models while still maintaining short run times. Where ‘real time’ simulation is required, as in wargames or training, SPEEDES optimistic-processing capability minimizes simulation lag time behind wall clock time, or multiples of real time. It also enables simulation re-start from a simulation state frozen at a check point. Likewise, when fast completion of a virtual time simulation run is needed, SPEEDES accommodates increases in problem complexity with additional parallel computing nodes. Primary SPEEDES Users SPEEDES is used operationally at the Joint National Integration Center (JNIC). Their Missile/Air Defense simulation (MADsim) is built on the SPEEDES framework. It has been in operation for seven years, and continues to be used in several major missile defense wargames. Under the Distributed Information Environment Modeling and Simulation (DIEMS) project, the Air Force Research Laboratory(AFRL) is developing a SPEEDES-based simulation of warfighting information transactions. Also for AFRL, Metron is developing a major SPEEDES enhancement that will allow users to perform multiple parallel course-of-action simulations. SPEEDES is also being used on a number of smaller projects, and is under consideration for use by over thirty organizations.

5. Missile Defense Wargaming and Analysis Resource As the U.S. heads toward production and deployment of new missile defense systems, virtual prototypes of these systems are being tested and proven with complex computer simulations. At the Joint National Integration Center (JNIC) a team of government and contractor personnel conduct wargames several times a year using the Missile Defense Wargaming and Analysis Resource (MDWAR). • MDWAR Support • Assist in model integration • Train • Trouble-shoot and de-bug • Wargame participation Metron’s HPC Division supplies the simulation framework for the Missile/Air Defense Simulation (MADSim) used in these demonstrations. Faced with the daunting task of simulating the entire deployed system-of-systems defense construct, MADSim models the sensors, Command and Control, and missiles in defensive action against incoming threats, where the battle is lost or won in tens of minutes. Wargame 2000’s team evaluated several candidate simulation engines and chose SPEEDES because of its superior performance and scalability.

6. Missile Defense Wargaming and Analysis Resource (Continued) The SPEEDES framework allowed MADsim to achieve the model resolution needed and keep up with the battle in real time. Simulations are run on 64-CPU high performance computing platforms that share a high-speed memory bank. Metron’s HPCD personnel at the JNIC and at our Solana Beach, California development center live with the disciplines of a wargame schedule that demand on-time product deliveries, and the need to develop and maintain software that meets military standards. Scenes from a Recent Missile Defense Wargame

7. Other HPC Projects and Products Looking to the Future – Parallel Course-of-Action Simulations For the Air Force Research Laboratory at Rome, New York, Metron is developing a major enhancement to the SPEEDES framework: the ability to emulate or simulate warfighting in real time, then spawn multiple parallel fast-running course-of-action simulations to assist commanders in making warfighting decisions. While being developed with military operations in mind, this enhanced capability will also be valuable for decision support at large industrial installations such as refineries, power plants, and power grids. International Model Simulation Engine (IMSE) Under contract to Northrop Grumman, Metron developed a conservative processing variant of SPEEDES. This framework is destined for use in distributed wargame networks, where the lower speed of communications deny the benefits of optimistic processing. HLA Middleware This product was developed under funding from the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO). It facilitates the capability to form federations of simulations, via runtime infrastructures (RTI), that comply with the High Level Architecture (HLA) Software IV&V Metron, under contract to the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Command (SPAWAR), performed independent testing and Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) on the JSIMS Common Component Simulation Environment (CCSE) software. SPEEDES Availability SPEEDES is available without charge to qualified users. The software is not exportable, and is limited to use in the United States of America. All U.S. Government organizations and other U. S. organizations working on a U.S. Government project may be given a username and password by requesting it via the www.speedes.com website. Students and faculty at U.S. academic institutions may also be eligible.

8. Professional Opportunities Metron hires professionals with educational and/or practical experience in the areas of mathematics, computer science, engineering, and the physical sciences. We are interested in highly qualified, highly motivated individuals who would like to join us in designing, developing, and fielding advanced discrete event simulation systems and related technologies. How to Contact Us Interested qualified applicants should contact Metron directly. Our address and personnel points of contact are as follows: Metron, Inc. 512 Via de la Valle Suite 301 Solana Beach, CA 92075 Phone: (858)792-8904 (Dawn Cromwell – extension 285)

9. Corporate Headquarters: 11911 Freedom Drive Suite 800 Reston, VA 20190-5602 (703)787-8700 West Coast Operations: 512 Via de la Valle Suite 301 Solana Beach, CA 92075-2715 (858)792-8904