Hi,
I recently upgraded from nest v2.2.2 to v2.20.1 and experienced a
decrease in simulation speed.
I tested it using the /brunel_alpha_nest.py/ example script that is
available in both versions.
For better comparison I set the option /to_file/ in the new version to
/False/.
Simulating the network for 10s using v2.2.2 I get:
100 %: network time: 9999.0 ms, realtime factor: 0.0672
Simulation finished.
Brunel network simulation (Python)
Number of neurons : 12500
Number of synapses: 15637600
Exitatory : 12512500
Inhibitory : 3125000
Excitatory rate : 28.84 Hz
Inhibitory rate : 28.78 Hz
Building time : 5.56 s
Simulation time : 149.01 s
Using v2.20.1:
100 %: network time: 9999.0 ms, realtime factor: 0.0601
Simulation finished.
Brunel network simulation (Python)
Number of neurons : 12500
Number of synapses: 15637600
Exitatory : 12512500
Inhibitory : 3125000
Excitatory rate : 28.84 Hz
Inhibitory rate : 28.78 Hz
Building time : 2.39 s
Simulation time : 168.58 s
Adding /'total_num_virtual_procs': 48/and running it for 100s on a 48
core node using v2.2.2 I get:
Simulation time : 98.49 s
Using v2.20.1:
Simulation time : 120.08 s
Both versions are build with OpenMp support and without mpi.
Is this expected or do you have any idea where this behavior comes from?
Thank you in advance!
Best,
Hartmut