Abstract: An optimization mechanism for increasing runtime performance in a co-/ multi-simulation environment by reducing the number of connections between simulators is provided. A simulation backplane includes netlist optimization logic that analyzes the netlists of design partitions and employs a set of rules to reduce the number of connections among simulators participating in a simulation session. According to one aspect of the present invention, synchronizations among a first solver and one or more other solvers that are simulating a design of a system or a portion thereof are limited to situations in which simulation being performed by each of the one or more other solvers is dependent upon event information from the first solver. Partitioned design source information is received for each a plurality of solvers. Based upon the partitioned design source information, partition dependency information is generated.