In this paper, we analyze the main features and discuss the tuning of the algorithms for the direct solution of sparse linear systems on distributed memory computers developed in the context of a long term European research project. The algorithms use a multifrontal approach and are especially designed to cover a large class of problems. The problems can be symmetric positive definite, general symmetric, or unsymmetric matrices, both possibly rank deficient, and they can be provided by the user in several formats. The algorithms achieve high performance by exploiting parallelism coming from the sparsity in the problem and that available for dense matrices. The algorithms use a dynamic distributed task scheduling technique to accommodate numerical pivoting and to allow the migration of computational tasks to lightly loaded processors. Large computational tasks are divided into subtasks to enhance parallelism. Asynchronous communication is used throughout the solution process to efficiently overlap communication with computation.
We illustrate our design choices by experimental results obtained on an SGI Origin 2000 and an IBM SP2 for test matrices provided by industrial partners in the PARASOL project.

/pdf/a-fully-asynchronous-multifrontal-solver-using-distributed-1xlwbmzqj5.pdf

A Fully Asynchronous Multifrontal Solver Using Distributed Dynamic Scheduling

The subject of sparse matrices has its roots in such diverse fields as management science, power systems analysis, surveying, circuit theory, and structural analysis. Mathematical models in all these areas give rise to very large systems of linear equations which could not be solved were it not for the fact that the matrices contain relatively few non-zero entries. Only comparatively recently, in the last fifteen years or so, has it become apparent that the equations can be solved even when the pattern is irregular, and it is primarily the solution of such problems that is considered in this book. The subject is intensely practical and this book is written with practicalities ever in mind. Whenever two methods are applicable, their rival merits are considered, and conclusions are based on practical experience where theoretical comparison is not possible. Non-numeric computing techniques have been included, as well as frequent illustrations, in an attempt to bridge the usually wide gap between the printed page and the working computer code. Despite this practical bias, it is recognized that many aspects of the subject are of interest in their own right, and the book aims to be suitable also for a student course, probably at MSc level. Exercises have been included to illustrate and strengthen understanding of the material, as well as to extend it. Efficient use of sparsity is a key to solving large problems in many fields. This book will supply both insight and answers for those attempting to solve these problems.

Direct methods for sparse matrices

In this paper, the role of elimination trees in the direct solution of large sparse linear systems is examined. The notion of elimination trees is described and its relation to sparse Cholesky factorization is discussed. The use of elimination trees in the various phases of direct factorization are surveyed: in reordering, sparse storage schemes, symbolic factorization, numeric factorization, and different computing environments.

The role of elimination trees in sparse factorization

Wilkinson defined a sparse matrix as one with enough zeros that it pays to take advantage of them.1 This informal yet practical definition captures the essence of the goal of direct methods for solving sparse matrix problems. They exploit the sparsity of a matrix to solve problems economically: much faster and using far less memory than if all the entries of a matrix were stored and took part in explicit computations. These methods form the backbone of a wide range of problems in computational science. A glimpse of the breadth of applications relying on sparse solvers can be seen in the origins of matrices in published matrix benchmark collections (Duff and Reid 1979a, Duff, Grimes and Lewis 1989a, Davis and Hu 2011). The goal of this survey article is to impart a working knowledge of the underlying theory and practice of sparse direct methods for solving linear systems and least-squares problems, and to provide an overview of the algorithms, data structures, and software available to solve these problems, so that the reader can both understand the methods and know how best to use them.

A survey of direct methods for sparse linear systems

In this review paper, we consider some important developments and trends in algorithm design for the solution of linear systems concentrating on aspects that involve the exploitation of parallelism. We briefly discuss the solution of dense linear systems, before studying the solution of sparse equations by direct and iterative methods. We consider preconditioning techniques for iterative solvers and discuss some of the present research issues in this field.

/pdf/developments-and-trends-in-the-parallel-solution-of-linear-2b6eeyoxa7.pdf

Developments and trends in the parallel solution of linear systems

This article deals with the problem of factoring a large sparse positive definite matrix on a multiprocessor system. The processors are assumed to have substantial local memory but no globally shared memory. They communicate among themselves and with a host processor through message passing. Our primary interest is in designing an algorithm which exploits parallelism, rather than in exploiting features of the underlying topology of the hardware. However, part of our study is aimed at determining, for certain sparse matrix problems, whether hardware based on the binary hypercube topology adequately supports the communication requirements for such problems. Numerical results from experiments conducted on a hypercube multiprocessor are included.

Sparse Cholesky factorization on a local-memory multiprocessor

Solution of sparse positive definite systems on a hypercube

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Sparse Cholesky factorization on a local-memory multiprocessor

Solution of sparse positive definite systems on a hypercube