Bulletin 118 - 2004 Jun 25

1. Upgrade to the SGI Altix (cherax), and to the CSIRO network
2. Special test queue, and node sx611
3. Intel compilers on cherax
4. Access to cherax for Bureau users
5. Local file systems on SX-6 nodes
6. Change notices
7. Upgrade of SX libraries on gale

On Friday 25th June 2004, the CSIRO Altix system, cherax, was upgraded from 8 CPUs to 64 CPUs, and from 64 Gbyte to 120 Gbyte of memory.

Enjoy!

Thanks to Jeroen, Polly, Bob, Susheel from SGI, and various Bureau people and contractors for the arrangements.

Also, a new link for CSIRO over Grangenet has been established to 700 Collins Street. This provides 1 Gbit/s connectivity. Thanks to Henry Baumeister of CSIRO ITS, and Bob.

Users are now automatically switched to using the new batch system on cherax.

On Friday 25th June, the bmtest queue on node 11 on the SX-6 cluster was implemented for all Bureau users.

This queue is principally for testing performance in a dedicated environment, and is restricted to one job at a time.

Please do not access node sx611 except by batch jobs, ever!

Soon, the Intel compilers on cherax will be upgraded to the latest release and patch level. Release notes for both the C++ and Fortran compilers can be found at following the links from

or as text files on cherax.

    /opt/intel/FortranReleaseNotes.txt
    /opt/intel/C++ReleaseNotes.txt
 

CSIRO is preparing to offer access to up to 20% of the Altix system to Bureau users, principally to enable easy access to shared data holdings.

A list of BMRC users has already been received.

Further Bureau users requesting access to the new CSIRO SGI Altix/64 server should complete an HPCCC Account Application form that specifically lists the "CSIRO SGI Altix, cherax" as a requested system.

Those with existing accounts on an HPCCC system can stop by the HPCCC and add cherax to their existing form, or submit a new form.

Note that the current account application form has a last modified date of 16 April 2004 shown at the end of the conditions of use, and previous versions of the application should not be used. The form is available from

http://www.hpsc.csiro.au/forms/HPCCC_User_Registration_Request.pdf

There are several local file systems on each node of the SX-6 system.

These can be referenced with the variables:

 $LOCALDIR - on local disc
 $MMFSDIR - in main memory

These areas have a number of restrictions - they are subject to flush, and they are not visible on any other SX-6 node or the TX-7s.

As well, any job using these areas, when subject to checkpoint, cannot be moved to other nodes.

The HPCCC has planned to be able to take nodes out of service individually, e.g. for maintenance and corrective action, and jobs using local file systems will not be able to be migrated or resumed from checkpoint.

Please think very carefully before using local file systems.

The HPCCC is planning to upgrade its systems for notifications of outages and changes - we are aware that because of pressures, we have not in recent years given consistent advance warning of changes which may affect users' work. The following notice is a first attempt at a format for improved change notification.

System Change Notice 2004-01
Date and Time of Change 2004-06-30

Systems Affected: Gale

Software Affected: asl libraries and MathKeisan

Details of change: asl MathKeisan will be linked from /SX/usr/lib0.

They are not currently linked and the libraries will be identical to the ones currently used as default. The current libraries will be left in place until 2004-07-30 (see notice 2004-02). This change should be transparent to users. Users can use the new sxcross source scripts as of this change safely. Any problems should be reported to hpchelp@hpccc.gov.au and the change notice number quoted.

This change has already been posted (2004-06-22).

Staff contact: John Stern

System Change Notice 2004-02
Date and Time of Change 2004-07-13

Systems Affected: Gale

Software Affected: Cross environment, asl libraries and MathKeisan

Details of change: As of 2004-06-30 please ensure all code is not using the directory systems being disabled. In particular use /SX/local/etc/sxcross.[sh|csh] in preference to /SX/usr/local/etc/sxcross.[sh|csh]. Users should check their code: in particular it is recommended that the sourcing of sxcross be done in the login scripts.

/SX/usr/local /SX/SUPERUXR121 /SX/SUPERUXR131 will all be disabled. All default cross libraries will be in standard places and should be in your path by default after sourcing / the sxcross script.

Staff contact: John Stern