Block Data Distribution for Parallel Nested Dissection

In this paper, we consider the problem of data partitioning for block sparse Cholesky factorization on distributed memory MIMD computers. We propose a preprocessing algorithm which computes and distributes a column block partition based on an initial partition induced by a nested dissection ordering. This preprocessing algorithm works by optimizing load balancing under precedence constraints and communication traffic. It can be performed in linear time and space complexities.