Parallel and Distributed Simulation (PADS) algorithms are typically categorized to belong to one of two categories. They are either conservative or optimistic with respect to the method of handling causality. Conservative systems strictly preserve causality, while optimistic systems detect and correct causality errors when they occur. Time Warp is the basis of optimistic algorithms where rolling back the simulation clock allows the simulation to correct for errors. The Global Virtual Time (GVT) is the variable that maintains information about simulation progress, termination decision, and for committing input/output data. In this paper the basis for an environment for visualization distributed simulations with time warp on a network of UNIX workstations is presented. The visualization environment provides a graphical overview of simulation processes, and provides insight for algorithm performance. Extensions to the visualizations are also possible for animation of simulation results.

This paper reports on an effort to adapt an existing distributed simulation visualization system to become Web accessible. The system was originally developed for performance visualization and experimentation with parameters affecting PDES systems using the Time Warp protocols. This paper presents a model for converting legacy PDES systems to be Web accessible, and discusses the initial results from the conversion effort on this specific application. After finishing this work, we will be able to collect a wealth of data through the Web for future data mining, and to create an intelligent agent for performance tuning of Time Warp applications.