Optimizing Linux Cluster Performance by Exploring the Correlation between Application Characteristics and Gigabit Ethernet Device Parameters

Cluster interconnect performance is typically characterized by latency and throughput. However, not only latency and throughput but also the CPU utilization of an interconnect are important attributes that affect overall system performance. In our studies, we have run cluster benchmarks with two device drivers with different throughput and latency characteristics. We have observed that point-to-point performance tests such as throughput and latency cannot be translated directly into application performance. We also tried to further tune the performance of the system by changing the interrupt coalescing parameters one of the drivers. Finally we used this data to understand the correlation between an application’s characteristics and interconnect performance attributes.