Python-based DES on AWS

Introduction to AWS for Online Discrete-Event Simulation

Wladimir Hofmann, Sebastian Lang, Paul Reichardt, Tobias Reggelin

Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Germany

Motivation / Scenario

Concept

Implementation / Demo

Motivation

"Digital Shadow": simulation model + real-time information = operational insight
PhD thesis Donhauser (Erlangen, 2020): simulation-based order scheduling in masonry plants, based on current system state and order data
Siemens Plant Simulation: OPC-UA + ODBC, MS Access DB, manually started simulation runs via management C# application

How can a scalable digital shadow setup look like, built on open-source software & managed cloud solutions ?

Scenario

simple build-to-order production process:

Goal: forecast schedule deviations caused by material delivery delays

Concept

Reference-pipeline for digital shadow applications:

Implementation

Python-based DES with SimPy / Casymda
Work-in-Process (WIP) initialization
AWS cloud services for managed compute/storage
Infrastructure-as-Code via Terraform
Docker + Localstack for local development
> public github repository

Demo

              
                # docker + terraform required
                docker-compose up localstack # start local "AWS"

                # prepare lambdas:
                docker-compose up package-ingest-lambda
                docker-compose up package-simulation-lambda 

                # setup resources on "AWS":
                cd terraform && terraform init
                terraform apply && cd ../

                # run dashboard (http://localhost:8050)
                # & execute emulation (http://localhost:5001):
                docker-compose up dashboard emulation

Screencast

Conclusion / Outlook

pipeline model for cloud-based digital shadow applications
open-source digital shadow implementation for operational forecasts
simple example: more complex use-case should be implemented
simulation & comparison of decision alternatives
security aspects should be incorporated
AWS-based: other vendors should be evaluated

Thank you for your attention.

github-repo | blog-post
slides: reveal.js