Homework One - Processors, Motherboards and Clusters

Assignment:

1. Read "Characterization of Scientific Workloads on Systems with Multi-Core Processors", by S.R. Alam, R.F. Barrett, J.A. Kuehn, P.C. Roth, and J.S. Vetter (http://ft.ornl.gov/~vetter/pubs/2006-10_iiswc06_multicore.pdf). Seek other information on the performance of these processors particularly on floating-point and double precision computations, and particularly from sources other than the manufacturers. Using this, wtite a short (two to four pages including illustrations) description of dual and quad core Intel and AMD processors and their performance. Pay particular attention to potential advantages and disadvantages of multi-core processors, and evaluations of their performance on different applications. Include appropriate references to all sources used. Hint: Try Tom's Hardware page for performance information (http://www.tomshardware.com/)
2. Write a three to four page paper on the architecture of modern motherboards for multiple CPUs (consider dual, quad and 8-way) AMD and Intel processors. Pay particular attention to ones for multi-core Opteron processors, with PCI-Express slots, and the existence of any with built-in Infiniband, if available. Include discussion of the following:
   1. the processor to memory and periperal interconnects and their performance
   2. the chips used to implement the bridges and other important functions
   3. the advantages and disadvantages of the design
   4. the potential performance bottlenecks
   Include appropriate references to all sources used.
3. Suppose that you are given a budget of $175,000 to build a cluster which will primarily be used for double precision floating point calculation, and graphics rendering. It is desired that they have at least dual Opterons or Intel Xeons (possibly dual core) and up to two graphics cards in PCI-Express slots. It should support Infiniband using either a PCI-X or PCI-Express slot or built-in Infiniband. Using current marketing information available on the Internet, give a bid of the best cluster that you can build with this budget. You can use any processor, memory, motherboard, disk drives, or other hardware and software components that you would like.

   You may purchase propriatary nodes from a vendor such as Dell, HP or IBM, etc., standard or build-it-yourself nodes from Internet vendors, or, if you like, assemble them from individual components. You may not solicit formal bids from a cluster integrator such as those mentioned in Chapter 2, but you may use information freely available on their web pages.

   In addition to a table listing the vendor(s), parts, and prices, and citation of the source (web page or other), you must provide a summary justifying why you think this proposed system is the best cluster that you can build for the budget. The cluster must include all the components required to boot and sustainably run a workable multi-user system. However, you may assume that you do not need to purchase a backup device for user files, or high capacity storage. The writeup should include

   • a description of all the components required for the cluster, prices, and the total price
   • Justification of the selection of key components, and why the system as a whole is the best for the money in terms of cost/performance that is performance per dollar.

This assignment is an individual assignment, to be done on your own without help from other students in the class. However, you may use any materials from any written resource, including web resources.