Event Abstract

Back to Event

MUSIC---a tool for co-simulation of neuronal network models. Current status and future development.

Ekaterina Brocke1 and Mikael Djurfeldt2, 3*
  • 1 KTH, CB/CSC, Sweden
  • 2 KTH, PDC, Sweden
  • 3 INCF, Sweden

MUSIC [1] is a tool for co-simulation. It provides a communication API which allows neuronal simulators and other tools to ship data between each other on-line during simulation. It supports simulations in a supercomputer cluster or on a desktop. MUSIC enables the construction of simulations encompassing multiple tools and combining model components written for different simulators. MUSIC is compatible with common MPI implementations such as OpenMPI and MPICH and is known to run on a variety of machines such as IBM BG/Q, Cray XC30 and the Japan K computer. It has been used on up to 32 K processors. Here, we give an update on the status of the latest MUSIC release which includes a new scheduler and support for multiple communication algorithms. MUSIC has also been extended to allow for simultaneous use of different communication layers, e.g. combining MPI-based communication with communication over UDP. This is useful when connecting simulations to external equipment. New Python bindings enables MUSIC-connected Python scripts. Another development is integration with PyNN [2], which is a simulator-independent language for building neuronal network models. PyNN release 0.8 includes a MUSIC interface enabling scripting of MUSIC co-simulations in PyNN. MUSIC has been benchmarked on multiple architectures. This includes benchmarks with artificial neurons, focusing on communication performance, and simulations of a cortical network using the NEST simulator [3]. We present some of these results and discuss strengths, shortcomings and potential future improvements. The next development steps are outlined, including a test suite, continuous integration, a multi-scale API and opening up the MUSIC project for collaborative development, with the aim of turning MUSIC into a community-based open source software project.

Acknowledgements

MUSIC has been developed as parts of the activities within the INCF Program for Multiscale Modeling.

References

[1] M. Djurfeldt, J. Hjorth, J. M. Eppler, N. Dudani, M. Helias, T. C. Potjans, U. S. Bhalla, M. Diesmann, J. H. Kotaleski, and Ö. Ekeberg (2010) Run-time interoperability between neuronal network simulators based on the music framework. Neuroinformatics, 8:43–60.

[2] A. P. Davison, D. Brüderle, J. M. Eppler, J. Kremkow, E. Muller, D. A. Pecevski, L. Perrinet and P. Yger (2008) PyNN: a common interface for neuronal network simulators. Front. Neuroinform. 2:11 doi:10.3389/neuro.11.011.2008

[3] M.-O. Gewaltig, and M. Diesmann (2007) NEST (Neural Simulation Tool) Scholarpedia 2(4):1430.

Keywords: Co-simulation, large-scale simulation, modeling, Supercomputing, Parallel Computing, MPI, Software

Conference: Neuroinformatics 2014, Leiden, Netherlands, 25 Aug - 27 Aug, 2014.

Presentation Type: Poster, not to be considered for oral presentation

Topic: Large-scale modeling

Citation: Brocke E and Djurfeldt M (2014). MUSIC---a tool for co-simulation of neuronal network models. Current status and future development.. Front. Neuroinform. Conference Abstract: Neuroinformatics 2014. doi: 10.3389/conf.fninf.2014.18.00092

Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters.

The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated.

Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed.

For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions.

Received: 30 Apr 2014; Published Online: 04 Jun 2014.

* Correspondence: Dr. Mikael Djurfeldt, KTH, PDC, Stockholm, 100 44, Sweden, mikael@djurfeldt.com