High-performance Computer for Research Work

This document describes the configuration and procedures for using the Unix supercomputer that has been, for the first time, installed on campus for research work.

Configuration

Sun Enterprise 10000 (Starfire) system is configured with

	64 (400MHz, 8MB cache) CPUs
	26GB Memory
	216GB Disk Storage
	L280 DLT autoloader Tape Storage

Normally, the machine is set up as a single domain with full capacity for all research users. However, multiple domains may be configured for dedicated use when required with prior arrangement.

Software

	Operating System: Solaris 7
	Sun Forte 6.0 (including C 6.0, C++ 6.0, Fortran 6.0 compilers)
	Sun HPC Clustertools 3.1 (including MPI 4.1, S3L 3.1)
	MatLab 6.0, Simulink, Neural Network, CFX 4/5, NAG, NAG F90, KAI C++
	GNU products: g77, gcc, g++, c++, cpp, gzip, gunzip, gzexe, make, autoconf, automake, bison, flex, gawk, ghostscript, ghostview, m4, tar, texinfo
	Other freewares: X11R6.5.1, TeX, LaTex, netCDF, Perl

Additional software will be installed as needed.

Computer Accounts

To provide better support, we need to know more on the computer requirements of the research. An "Application for High Performance Computer Time" form is designed for this purpose. Staff can download the application form and return the completed form to the CSC. Accounts will then be created within 2 working days.

Advanced Booking

In general, this machine is available on all 7 days of the week except the following period:

            Every 3^rd of each month from 6:30am to 8:00am.

During normal hours, all users with the appropriate accounts can access the machine at any time with no reservation needed. The machine will be shared by all valid users.

However, if one wants to reserve the whole machine for dedicated use (usually a short period of time), and/or reconfigure the machine other than the current provision, one can send the request to cc@cityu.edu.hk two weeks in advance with the following information:

	Computer account of this machine
	Time slot to be used (in general, no more than 1 week)
	Extra resources other than the standard provision

Please note that the advanced booking is not guaranteed. Nevertheless, the CSC will try every effort such that the requested arrangement can be fulfilled.

Data Backup

All user data will be backup to tapes regularly on a daily basis. Full data backup will be performed.

References

You may visit the following web pages for product information and/or manual references:

	Sun OS and Sun software http://www.sun.com/ http://docs.sun.com/
	MatLab, Simulink etc. http://www.matlab.com/
	CFX http://www.software.aeat.com/cfx/
	NAG software http://www.nag.com/ http://www.nag.com/numeric/numerical_libraries.asp http://www.nag.com/nagware.asp
	KAI compilers http://developer.intel.com/software/products/kcc/
	GNU software http://www.gnu.org/ http://www.gnu.org/directory/GNU/ http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/
	Others http://www.x.org/X11.html http://www.tug.org/ http://www.latex-project.org/

Enquiries

For any suggestions or queries, all staff are most welcome to send them to cc@cityu.edu.hk or enquire through our Help Desk at extension 7658.