Collaborative Research: CCRI: Planning-C: Enabling Computer Architecture Simulation as a Service

模拟器对计算机体系结构至关重要，因为它们允许设计师验证设计理念，而无需在硅上生产真正的芯片，这既昂贵又耗时。然而，目前有许多问题阻碍了计算机体系结构模拟设计的发展：1)生态系统的碎片化；在一个框架中开发的模拟器模型不能在另一个框架中使用。2)进入门槛高；需要广泛的培训和强大的硬件，限制了参与，特别是边缘化人口和资源有限的研究所的参与；3)忽视可用性和用户体验；较差的结果可解释性阻碍了从模拟中产生的见解。该项目的影响是为计算机体系结构研究社区提供一站式、基于网络和云计算的计算机体系结构模拟环境，以支持更复杂的计算机体系结构模拟，并允许更多的研究人员参与到计算系统设计的进步中来。该项目的新奇之处在于创造了新的计算机体系结构设计原则，在计算机体系结构模拟生态系统的可用性方面架起了技术和人类方面的桥梁。该项目提供了一个在线平台，允许用户在不离开平台的情况下进行复杂的基于模拟器的计算机体系结构研究。该平台的核心是一个模型动物园，供研究人员发布模拟器模型，分叉他人的模型，验证模型，并在实验中使用他人的模型。该项目通过构建一个兼容层来连接在流行的模拟器框架（如gem5、SST和MGPUSim）中开发的模拟器模型，从而统一了生态系统。该项目还使计算机体系结构模拟即服务（CASaaS）成为可能，因为用户可以配置实验，在云中运行模拟，并实时监控正在运行的模拟。该平台还为结果分析提供了集成的可视化工具。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Simulators are essential to computer architecture as they allow designers to validate design ideas without producing real chips on silicon, which is expensive and time-consuming. However, there are currently many issues slowing the advancement of computer architecture design through simulation: 1) Fragmentation of the ecosystem; simulator models developed in one framework cannot be used in another. 2) High barrier of entry; extensive training and powerful hardware are required, limiting participation, particularly from marginalized populations and institutes with limited resources, and 3) Neglect of usability and user experience; poor result interpretability hinders insights generated from simulations. The project's impacts are empowering the computer architecture research community with a one-stop, web-based, and cloud-powered computer architecture simulation environment to support more complex computer architecture simulations and to allow more researchers to participate in the advancement of computing system design. The project’s novelties are creating new computer architecture design principles that bridge technical and human aspects of usability across the computer architecture simulation ecosystem.This project delivers an online platform that allows users to conduct complex simulator-based computer architecture research without leaving the platform. Central to the platform is a Model Zoo for researchers to publish simulator models, fork others’ models, validate models, and use others’ models in their experiments. This project unifies the ecosystem by building a compatibility layer to connect simulator models developed in popular simulator frameworks such as gem5, SST, and MGPUSim. This project also enables computer architecture simulation as a service (CASaaS) as users can configure experiments, run simulations in the cloud, and monitor the running simulations in real-time. The platform also provides an integrated visualization tool for result analysis.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.