A visual environment for distributed simulation systems

Parallel and Distributed Simulation (PADS) algorithms are typically categorized to belong to one of two categories. They are either conservative or optimistic with respect to the method of handling causality. Conservative systems strictly preserve causality, while optimistic systems detect and correct causality errors when they occur. Time Warp is the basis of optimistic algorithms where rolling back the simulation clock allows the simulation to correct for errors. The Global Virtual Time (GVT) is the variable that maintains information about simulation progress, termination decision, and for committing input/output data. In this paper the basis for an environment for visualization distributed simulations with time warp on a network of UNIX workstations is presented. The visualization environment provides a graphical overview of simulation processes, and provides insight for algorithm performance. Extensions to the visualizations are also possible for animation of simulation results.