ML-RSIM is an event-driven cycle-accurate simulator that integrates detailed processor and cache models with a complete I/O subsystem. Combined with the Unix-compatible Lamix operating system, ML-RSIM provides a unique tool that allows researchers to study the interaction of computer architecture, I/O activity, system software and applications.

ML-RSIM executes static SPARC V8 binaries. The Lamix system call interface is compatible with Solaris 2.8. In general, applications compiled for ML-RSIM can execute on native Sparc/Solaris systems without modification. No special libraries or include files are required to compile applications for the simulator.

ML-RSIM is developed and maintained by Lambert Schaelicke and Mike Parker and is based on RSIM version 1.0. It also incorporates portions of NetBSD source code. The entire source code can be downloaded at no cost from this web site.

The simulation environment consists of two major components: the actual simulator and the Lamix operating system kernel.

Simulator Features

The simulator includes models of the following hardware components:

  • dynamically scheduled SPARC V8 compatible processor
  • level-1 instruction and data cache and a unified level-2 cache
  • split-transaction coherent system bus
  • multi-bank memory controller with SDRAM or RAMBUS memory
  • realtime clock
  • SCSI controller (based on Adaptec AIC7770) with SCSI bus
  • SCSI hard disk with cache, prefetching and optional write buffering

    • Lamix Kernel Features

    Lamix is a Unix-compatible kernel based on NetBSD with a Solaris-compatible system call interface. Other features include:

  • process management, including fork, exec and multitasking
  • SVR4 signal handling
  • basic virtual memory support
  • time and timer system call support
  • vnode-based file system layer
  • host file system imports simulation host file systems into Lamix kernel
  • basic Unix and Internet socket support
  • BSD FFS filesystem with statically allocated file cache
  • BSD-based device drivers for SCSI adapter and disk, RAIDframe software RAID and CCD

    • System Requirements

    ML-RSIM has been tested on the following systems:

  • UltraSPARC-based systems with Solaris 2.7/2.8
    Workshop 5.0/6.0 C and C++ compiler, assembler and linker
    GNU make
  • MIPS-based SGI workstations with Irix 6.5
    MIPSpro 7.3 compiler and assembler
    GNU make
  • Intel Pentium-based systems with Redhat, Mandrake or Debian Linux kernel 2.2
    GNU gcc 2.96, GNU g++ 2.96, GNU assembler and linker, GNU make
    libelf is required for Linux hosts

    • Similar systems should pose no major problems, but significantly different hosts may require modifications of the Makefiles and possibly of source code.

    For questions or comments
    contact mlrsim@cs.utah.edu

    Last updated: 05/26/2005