The Parallel Booster: software architecture and optimization results

The Parallel Booster is a software package to enable the development of parallel programs literally in a couple of months, and to allow full run-time exploitation of the installed computer base by means of a set of unique functions. The architecture of the Booster and some of these functions are succinctly described. As a concrete proof of the Booster power, the parallelization of an actual application is discussed. Both claims were demonstrated: dramatic acceleration of an optimization computation was achieved. The modifications were of a surgical nature, explaining why short development efforts are possible.