MUSIC - MUlti-SImulation Coordinator
The INCF has developed software that allows large scale neuron simulators to communicate during runtime.
|
Three applications (A, B, and C) execute in parallel while exchanging data via MUSIC. The software interface promotes interoperability by allowing models written for different simulators to be simulated together in a larger system. It enables re-usability of models or tools by providing a standard interface. As data are distributed over a number of processors, it is non-trivial to coordinate data transfer so that it reaches the correct destination at the correct time. The Multisimulation Coordinator (MUSIC) is a standard interface for run-time exchange of data among parallel applications in a cluster environment. It is designed for interconnecting large-scale neuronal network simulators with each other or with other tools. Data may consist of events, such as neuronal spikes, or graded continuous values, such as membrane voltages. Current and future simulators can make use of MUSIC - compliant general purpose tools and participate in multi-simulations – a possibility that is particularly attractive when:
In addition, such a standard interface enables straight-forward independent third-party development and community sharing of interoperable software tools for parallel processing. In the design of the standard interface, care has also been taken to facilitate easy adaptation of existing simulators. The MUSIC library was released in March 2009. Prior to its first release, INCF actively solicited comments from the community on the proposed design and prototype specifications. Three simulators currently have MUSIC interfaces: NEST, Neuron and MOOSE. |
