Performance Visualization: 2-D, 3-D, and Beyond

During the past ten years, performance data visualization techniques have evolved from static, twodimensional graphics to dynamic graphics and immersive virtual environments. We sketch the domain of applicability for each visualization technique using analysis of input/output behavior and WWW traffic as example problem domains. With this background, we describe experiences with virtual environment representations of complex performance data and the potential for immersive interaction with complex software. 1 Introduction Despite the ubiquity of scalable parallel systems and high-performance workstation clusters, achieving substantial fractions of these systems' peak performance for a wide range of applications remains an elusive goal. Although the causes for poor performance are as varied as the range of systems and applications, performance measurement and analysis are prerequisites to performance optimization. The associated performance data presentation techniques have evolved fro..