Hp Scalable Visualization Array Software Manuale Utente Pagina 1

HP Scalable Visualization Array Version 2.0User's GuideHP Part Number: A-SVAUG-3APublished: October 2006

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1 IntroductionThis chapter gives an overview of the HP Scalable Visualization Array (SVA). It describes howthe SVA works within the context of overall

is also available for display remotely, but limited to single or two-tile output from a singlegraphics card.The SVA serves as a key unit in an integra

Final images can also be transmitted to a remote workstation display over a network external tothe cluster. This lets users interact with applications

1.4.2 FlexibilityOne of the most powerful attributes of the SVA is its flexibility, which makes it possible to applythe SVA effectively to a wide rang

full advantage of the various toolkits and libraries. The SVA uses standards such as OpenGL,Linux, InfiniBand, and Gigabit Ethernet for portability an

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2 SVA ArchitectureThis chapter gives a detailed look at the architecture of the HP Scalable Visualization Array(SVA). It compares the SVA to other clu

Thus, the SVA provides the HP Cluster Platform with a visualization component for thoseapplications that require visualization in addition to computat

images. The output can be a complete display or one tileof an aggregate display.Remote images. The SVA also supports the transmission of a completeima

© Copyright 2005, 2006 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Confidential computer software. Valid license from HP required for possession, use or

• Multiple displays with different resolutions.• Use of a variable number of display and render nodes to solve the computational andrendering requirem

features extracted based on application settings. The application then caches the results of theanalysis or rendering to display an animation of the t

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3 SVA Hardware and SoftwareThis chapter provides information on the hardware and software that make up the SVA. It is auseful reference for anyone inv

Platform system, the visualization nodes can use a highspeed system interconnect to load data from an HP SFS.The two SVA physical configurations are b

Figure 3-1 Sample SVA Bounded ConfigurationGigEExternal NodeDisplayDevicesBase Rack (UVB)3.3 Modular Packaging ConfigurationA Modular Packaging Config

The management switches are collected together in one rack. SVA nodes connect to branchswitches in the Administrative Network. SVA nodes do not connec

Figure 3-2 Software Hierarchy in the SVAVisualizationLibraries(optional)ApplicationsX ServersHP XC LinuxAllocateLaunchInitializeCleanupSVASoftwareUtil

• Naming each of the nodes in the cluster and determining which nodes are up and running.• Serializing application use of the cluster.For more informa

Table 3-4 Third Party System SoftwareDescriptionSoftwarePrimary interface programmers use to create images.OpenGLhttp://www.opengl.org/Contains routin

Table of ContentsAbout This Document...91 Intend

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4 Quick StartThis chapter lets you quickly try some of the sample applications on the SVA Kit. Details onusing scripts are provided in other chapters

TIP: See the HP SVA System Administration Guide for detailed information on how to defineDisplay Surfaces, including a recommended incremental series

• In the case of third-party applications, for example, ParaView and EnSight, there is a separateuser interface whose location is determined by settin

• You need to substitute the name of the site-specific input node for YOUR_INPUT_NODE.• The city application is shipped with the SVA kit and is alread

% sva_remote.sh -I(Note that problems sometimes occur running the script or logging into the Linux GUI.Check your login file for incompatible settings

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5 Setting Up and Running a Visualization SessionThis chapter explains how to run visualization applications on the SVA. A visualization sessionrelies

5.2 Running an Application Using ScriptsTypically, you encapsulate the various commands needed to run applications using a script file.This speeds the

Tip:A useful feature of the sva_chromium_dmx.sh script is its interactive mode for runningall sorts of applications, including regular X Server applic

4.3.4 Run an Application Using HP RGS...345 Setting Up and

Each template has default options that you can respecify. These options are documented in theSVA Visualization System Software Reference Guide, and in

it on the multi-tile display; for example, to display high-resolution images or to launch anapplication like ParaView.Tip:For convenience, you can cre

Depending on the number of nodes in a cluster, any user can rely on the job launch scripts todynamically allocate nodes in efficient ways. For example

The following SVA launch scripts support the --stereo option.• sva_chromium_dmx.sh• sva_paraview.sh• sva_job_template.shCAUTION: The stereo capabiliti

See the SVA Visualization System Software Reference Guide for more information on all the scriptingfunctions, including svaEnableFrameLock.5.7.3 Use t

6 Application ExamplesThis chapter describes the steps to start several representative applications that vary in theirstructure and requirements:• A w

although you may consider it your local workstation. In this chapter, your local workstation ismeant to designate a machine that is remote to the SVA.

There are four processes that must run when a remote visualization session begins.• The X Server.• RGS Sender on the SVA RGS-capable node.• RGS Receiv

SVA if you specify a Display Surface when you start the launch script. Alternatively, if youchoose not to specify a Display Surface and accept a defau

The window immediately displays the external name of the display node running theatlantis application. You need this name for the next step.3. Start t

List of Figures1-1 System View of a Computing Environment with Integrated SVA...111-2 Standalone SVA Data

The atlantis application display begins.7. Exit the application to stop the application only. You can then restart the application usingthe same appli

level-of-detail models can be rendered locally whereas the full model is rendered in adistributed manner). This provides scalable rendering for large

Figure 6-2 ParaView Flow of Control on the SVAGFXGigEGigESITo ExternalNetworkTo DisplayDeviceX ServerLocal DesktopDisplay Node 1 (Execution Host)Parav

(The ic-name is the HP XC convention used to denote that the SI communication mode isto be used.)5. To terminate ParaView, select the File: Exit menu

Reference Guide describe how to use launch templates to run applications, including the underlyingfunctions and commands contained in the script.6.3 R

6.3.4 Location for Application Execution and ControlAlthough an application can run on any node in the SVA, HP recommends that you run it onone of the

Figure 6-3 Processes Running with Chromium-DMX ScriptGFXGigEGigESITo ExternalNetworkTo DisplayDeviceXdmxApplicationX ServerExternal NodeDisplay Node 1

The primary mechanism that you use to set up displays is the Display Surface. A Display Surfaceis composed of one or more display nodes and their asso

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GlossaryAdministrativeNetworkConnects all nodes in the cluster. In an HP XC compute cluster, this consists of two branches:the Administrative Network

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modular packingconfigurationThis SVA configuration has two or more racks as needed to contain from four to ninety-fiveworkstations or servers, along w

IndexAAdmin/service node, 18Administrative network, 18, 24, 25Architecture of SVA, 17BBeowulf cluster, 17Bounded configuration, 23CChromium, 28Compile

Render node, 19in SVA, 19RGSexample use, 46launched via script, 48launching of process, 47RGS Displayflow of control for, 46RGS noderoute display to l

List of Tables3-1 Operating System and Driver Components...273-2 HP XC

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About This DocumentThe SVA User's Guide introduces the components of the HP Scalable Visualization Array (SVA).The SVA product has hardware and s