Big Data processing has become an integral part of many applications that are vital to our industry, academic endeavors, and society at large. To cope with the data deluge, existing Big Data platforms require significant conceptual and engineering advances. In particular, Big Data platforms for large-scale graph processing require in-depth performance analysis to continue to support the broad applicability of linked data processing. However, in-depth performance analysis of such platforms remains challenging due to many factors, among which the inherent complexity of the platforms, the limited insight provided by coarse-grained "black-box" and inefficiency of fine-grained analysis, and the lack of reusability of results. In this work, we propose Granula, a performance analysis system for Big Data platforms that focuses on graph processing. Granula facilitates the complex, end-to-end processes of fine-grained performance modeling, monitoring, archiving, and visualization. It offers a comprehensive evaluation process that can be iteratively tuned to deliver more fine-grained performance information. We showcase with a prototype of Granula how it can provide meaningful insights into the operation of two large-scale graph processing platforms, Giraph and PowerGraph. ... Read more

In this paper we introduce LDBC Graphalytics, a new industrial-grade benchmark for graph analysis platforms. It consists of six deterministic algorithms, standard datasets, synthetic dataset generators, and reference output, that enable the objective comparison of graph analysis platforms. Its test harness produces deep metrics that quantify multiple kinds of system scalability, such as horizontal/vertical and weak/strong, and of robustness, such as failures and performance variability. The benchmark comes with open-source software for generating data and monitoring performance. We describe and analyze six implementations of the benchmark (three from the community, three from the industry), providing insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the platforms. Key to our contribution, vendors perform the tuning and benchmarking of their platforms. ... Read more

The Mnemos resource management and scheduling architecture uses portfolio scheduling, topology-aware virtual-resource management, and state information to self-adapt to significant workload changes and to analyze risks. Simulations with real-world workload traces reveal the potential for significant cost savings. ... Read more

Cloud computing is a new paradigm for using ICT services—only when needed and for as long as needed, and paying only for service actually consumed. Benchmarking the increasingly many cloud services is crucial for market growth and perceived fairness, and for service design and tuning. In this work, we propose a generic architecture for benchmarking cloud services. Motivated by recent demand for data-intensive ICT services, and in particular by processing of large graphs, we adapt the generic architecture to Graphalytics, a benchmark for distributed and GPU-based graph analytics platforms. Graphalytics focuses on the
dependence of performance on the input dataset, on the analytics algorithm,
and on the provisioned infrastructure. The benchmark provides components for platform configuration, deployment, and monitoring, and has been tested for a variety of platforms. We also propose a new challenge for the process of benchmarking data-intensive services, namely the inclusion of the data-processing algorithm in the system under test; this increases significantly the relevance of benchmarking results, albeit, at the cost of increased benchmarking duration. ... Read more