New Version of benchlib for the T3D

From Jeff Brooks of CRI, I have gotten a new version of bnchlib. The source for this version is on the ARSC anonymous ftp server as both a compressed and uncompressed tarfile:

  dir pub/submissions

  -rw-r--r--    1 root  other    1190 Jan 29 10:21 README
  -rw-r--r--    1 ftp   other  189907 Feb 13 14:31 f--.ps
  -rw-r--r--    1 ftp   other  983040 Feb 13 14:31 libbnch.tar
  -rw-r--r--    1 ftp   other  347037 Feb 13 14:33 libbnch.tar.Z
  -rw-r--r--    1 ftp   other  145389 Feb 13 14:31 t3d_addr.ps
  -rw-r--r--    1 ftp   other  168334 Feb  8 06:15 t3d_opt.ps

Also in this directory are:

  f--.ps      - Robert Numerich's description of F--
  t3d_addr.ps - Robert Numerich's description of addressing on
                the T3D
  t3d_opt.ps  - Jeff Brooks single PE optimization paper from
                the Denver CUG

Below are some files from the newest version of bnchlib:

The README file:

  > T3D libraries for scalar and "vector" intrinsics and for
  > utilities.
  > 
  > lib32:  Contains some 32-bit intrinsic functions.
  > 
  > random:  Contains fast random number utilities for T3D
  > 
  > scalar_fastmath:  Contains faster versions of 64-bit intrinsic
  >                   functions. This library can simply be linked
  >                   with existing .o files to pick these up.
  > 
  > trisol:  Fast tri-diagonal solver
  > 
  > util:  Some assembler utilities. Prefetch, setting the annex,
  >        etc.
  > 
  > vect_fastmath:  Very fast versions of intrinsics that operate
  >                 on a vector of operands.
  > 

The COPYRIGHT file:

  >                      COPYRIGHT (C)1995
  > 
  > The UNICOS operating system is derived from the AT&T UNIX
  > System V operating system. UNICOS is also based in part on the
  > Fourth Berkeley Software Distribution under license from the
  > The Regents of the University of California.
  > 
  > UNIX is a trademark of AT&T.
  > 
  > This software is provided "AS IS", without warranty of any
  > kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited
  > to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
  > particular purpose. Cray Research, Inc. incurs no obligation
  > to support this software.
  > 

With this distribution of bnchlib there are two additional files from Robert Numerich:

  util/t3d_addr.ps
  util/f--.ps

This library is an updated version, with bug fixes, but it also has makefiles for the T3E that are interesting to read. This version no longer has a library for the solution of tridiagonal equations but the content seems to be what was described in the first distribution of bnchlib on the ARSC ftp server, 3/31/95.

Briefly we have:

  library         description                         Newsletter

  lib_util.a    - the utility pref                  - #30(4/07/95) 
  lib_scalar.a  - optimized intrinsics              - #33(4/28/95)
  lib_tri.a     - tridiagonal solvers               - #35(5/12/95)
  lib_random.a  - optimized random number generator - #37(5/26/95)
  lib_vect.a    - "vectorized" intrinsic routines   - #34(5/05/95)
  lib_32.a      - 32 bit "vectorized intrinsics     - #29(3/31/95)

In future newsletters I will look into the contents more closely.

Reaching the NQS Queue Complex on the T3D

As the ARSC T3D is now a busy machine, we have more and more conflicts between users. The current NQS queue structure at ARSC as of January 16th is:

  queue name  Number  Max jobs  Time limit   When queue
              of PEs  per queue   on queue   is enabled

  m_128pe_5m   128       1       5 minutes   after downtimes
  m_128pe_8h   128       1       8 hours     Friday 6PM - Sunday 4AM
  m_64pe_24h    64       1      24 hours     always
  m_64pe_10m    64       1      10 minutes   always
  m_32pe_24h    32       1      24 hours     always
  m_16pe_24h    16       2      24 hours     always
  m_8pe_24h      8       2      24 hours     always

There are several ways in which a collection of batch jobs could simultaneously use all 128 PEs and prevent any interactive use. Interactive time is programmer time which should always be more valuable than machine time. To insure that programmers always have access to interactive PEs, we have placed a queue complex limit on the ARSC T3D such that only 120 PEs are available for NQS batch use during the weekday hours. If your NQS job would use the last 8 PEs, it is held until more PEs are freed up.

---

Current Editors:

Ed Kornkven	ARSC HPC Specialist	ph: 907-450-8669
Kate Hedstrom	ARSC Oceanographic Specialist	ph: 907-450-8678
Arctic Region Supercomputing Center
University of Alaska Fairbanks
PO Box 756020
Fairbanks AK 99775-6020

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