Cache Memory Simulators: A Comparative Study and Their Applicability in Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5753/ijcae.2012.4956Abstract
The concept of cache memory is an important topic primarily covered in the Computer Architecture course in computing-related programs. This is a subject where many students experience learning difficulties, which can be mitigated by using a simulator. This article presents a comparative study of some of the main published cache memory simulators, aiming to assess their applicability as teaching support tools in introductory Computer Architecture courses. Thus, the main features of the simulators will be compared, highlighting the positives and negatives of each one, evaluating their employability for teaching, and providing resources for researchers to develop new tools with these features. The study also points out that one of the main obstacles to the application of these tools is the difficulty in locating these applications. Finally, the desirable features in simulators, as well as the tool that stood out the most, will be presented, complementing the research carried out on cache memory simulators, concluding the literature of this work.
Downloads
References
Coutinho, L. M. N.; Mendes, J. L. D.; Martins, C. A. P. S. “MSCSim – Simulador de Memória Cache, Split e Multiníveis”, VI Workshop de Sistemas Computacionais de Alto Desempenho (WSCAD), 2005, pp. 193-196.
Djordjevic, J.; Nikolic, B.; Mitrovic, M. “A Memory System for Education”, The Computer Journal, Vol. 48, No. 6, 2005, pp. 630-641.
Yurcik, W.; Wolffe, G. S.; Holliday, M. A; “A Survey of Simulators Used in Computer Organization/Architecture Courses”, Summer Computer Simulation Conference (SCSC), Society for Computer Simulation (SCS), Orlando, FL, EUA, 2001.
Ribeiro, A. S.; Duarte, R. P. “KSH: Simulador de memória cache com carregamento dinâmico de módulos e execução de script de configuração”, IV Workshop em Sistemas Computacionais de Alto Desempenho (WSCAD), 2003, pp. 160-163.
Cordeiro, E. S.; Stefani, I. G. A.; Soares, T.; Martins, C. A. P. S. “DCMSim: Didactic Cache Memory Simulator”, Frontiers in Education Conference – FIE 2003, Boulder – Colorado, v. 2003, pp. F1C14-F1C19, 2003. PDF.
Hill, M. D., J. Dinero III. Disponível em: [link].
Hill, M. D., J. Dinero IV Trace-Driven Uniprocessor Cache Simulator. Disponível em: [link].
Prete, C. A. “Cachesim: A Graphical Software Environment to Support the Teaching of Computer Systems with Cache Memories, Proceedings of the 7th SEI CSEE Conference on Software Engineering Education, pp. 317-327, 1994.
Moreira K.; Pontes, B.; Fernandes, G.; Vidal, J. M.; Wanderley Netto, E. B. “LBGCache V2.0: Simulador Didático para Análise do Comportamento e Funcionamento Estrutural de Memórias Caches”. In: Anais do III Congresso de Iniciação Científica do CEFETRN. Natal, Brasil, 2005.
Vega, M. A.; Martin, R.; Zarallo, F.A.; Sánchez J. M.; Gómez, J. A. "SMPCache: Simulador de Sistemas de Memoria Caché en Multiprocesadores Simétricos". In: Actas de las Xi Jornadas de Paralelismo, 2000, pp.3-8.
Rodrigues, J. C.; Xavier, M. A. S.; Lima Júnior, O. A.; “Simuladores de Memória Cache, um Estudo Comparativo Direcionado ao Ensino”. In: Anais do VI Workshop sobre Educação em Arquitetura de Computadores (WEAC), 2011, pp. 7-12.
Hennessy, J. L.; Patterson, D. A. “Computer Organization and Design: The Hardware/Software Interface”, 3rd Edition, Morgan Kaufman, 2005.
William Stallings. “Organização e Arquitetura de Computadores”, 5ª Edição, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2002.
Prima Cache Simulator. Disponível em: [link].
Moreira, L.; Pontes, B.; Fernandes, G.; Vidal, J. M.; Wanderley Netto, E. B.; Loop-way Cache. In Anais do Workshop em Sistemas Computacionais de Alto Desempenho, Oct, 24-27, pp. 197-200 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2005.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2012 Os autores
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
