1100 G5 Duals Going To Virgina Tech Next Week?
According to Think Secret:
Quote:
By Nick dePlume, Publisher and Editor in Chief
August 30, 2003 - Virginia Tech University is building a Power Mac G5 cluster that will result in a supercomputer estimated to be one of the top five fastest in the world.
In yesterday's notes article, we reported that Virginia Tech had placed a large order of dual-2GHz G5s to form a cluster. Since that time, we've received additional information, allowing us to confirm a number of details.
According to reports, Virginia Tech placed the dual-2GHz G5 order shortly after the G5 was announced. Multiple sources said Virginia Tech has ordered 1100 units; RAM on each is said to be upgraded to 4GB or 8GB.
The G5s will be clustered using Infiniband to form a 1100-node supercomputer delivering over 10 Teraflops of performance. Two sources said the cluster is estimated to be one of the top five fastest supercomputers in the world.
However, Virginia Tech's on a deadline. The university needs to have the cluster completely set up this fall so that it can be ranked in Linpack's Top 500 Supercomputer list.
Apple bumped Virginia Tech's order to the front of the line -- even in front of first day orders -- to get them out the door all at once. Sources originally estimated the G5s will arrive the last week of August; they're still on track to arrive early, possibly next week.
This information is more-or-less public within the university community but no announcement has been made. Earlier in the month, Think Secret contacted Virginia Tech's Associate Vice President for University Relations, who said the report was an "interesting story" and agreed to see what he could confirm. The university didn't respond to follow-up requests for comment.
By Nick dePlume, Publisher and Editor in Chief
August 30, 2003 - Virginia Tech University is building a Power Mac G5 cluster that will result in a supercomputer estimated to be one of the top five fastest in the world.
In yesterday's notes article, we reported that Virginia Tech had placed a large order of dual-2GHz G5s to form a cluster. Since that time, we've received additional information, allowing us to confirm a number of details.
According to reports, Virginia Tech placed the dual-2GHz G5 order shortly after the G5 was announced. Multiple sources said Virginia Tech has ordered 1100 units; RAM on each is said to be upgraded to 4GB or 8GB.
The G5s will be clustered using Infiniband to form a 1100-node supercomputer delivering over 10 Teraflops of performance. Two sources said the cluster is estimated to be one of the top five fastest supercomputers in the world.
However, Virginia Tech's on a deadline. The university needs to have the cluster completely set up this fall so that it can be ranked in Linpack's Top 500 Supercomputer list.
Apple bumped Virginia Tech's order to the front of the line -- even in front of first day orders -- to get them out the door all at once. Sources originally estimated the G5s will arrive the last week of August; they're still on track to arrive early, possibly next week.
This information is more-or-less public within the university community but no announcement has been made. Earlier in the month, Think Secret contacted Virginia Tech's Associate Vice President for University Relations, who said the report was an "interesting story" and agreed to see what he could confirm. The university didn't respond to follow-up requests for comment.
Comments
...that room better have air conditioning haha
http://www.top500.org/list/2003/06/
funny thing
Originally posted by Ensign Pulver
Yes, my thoughts too. No indication that OS X will be used. Anyone know enough about high-level clustering to comment?
Probably Yellow Dog Linux with Black Lab. Most Mac clusters either run that (for *nix applications) or Mac OS X with Pooch (for Mac applications).
They will support the new G5s by "the end of August".
Check out a similar (but much smaller scale) 60 CPU Xserve cluster. Impressive.
The US Navy ordered 260 Xserves from them to run onboard HPC for sonar. Terrasoft "provided software engineering and support services which include device driver enhancements, kernel development, tuned firmware allowing serial (RS-232) port-based control; performance testing, and management of third party engineering and systems integration."
They have a buttload of high profile cutomers.
They work closely with Apple, as they are a vital resource for the adoption of Macs in academic and scientific fields.
Barto
I can see why Apple would be pleased as punch, but I think VT is making a risky investment. And if they can't deliver on the promise, Apple looks bad too. We're all beginning to realize that the delivery of the G5 hardware is just step one in a ecology that has to include a new OS revision and recompiling/optimizing of the software for the full potential to be fulfilled. Whether this cluster is going to be Panther with hitherto unknown clustering software or Yellow Dog Linux with hitherto unwritten G5 compatibilities, VT is going to blaze virgin territory. Hope it all goes well...
See Jack run.
See Jack make the top 500 super computer list.
See Jack rake in the research dollars.
1) This is HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING. Every new cluster is "virgin territory", as each one is unique. There is simply no one-size-fits-all risk free way to do it.
2) You don't buy computers based on the fact that you will get more in 6 months time, because then YOU WILL NEVER GET ANYTHING. You buy computers because you want one NOW.
Barto
Originally posted by medialab
Who would responsibly spend such a huge amount (in both money and time) to make G5 towers into a cluster this fall when a year from now G5 Xserves would make the task much easier and more manageable.
And you don't suppose that they will actually use the cluster in that year?
Originally posted by medialab
Presumably Virginia wants this cluster to be useful for longer than a season. Its a lot of trouble to beat everybody else by six months or so.
And if they wait a year there will still be a faster computer out six months later.
Originally posted by Tidris
This is a big mistake and a waste of taxpayers money. The university should have waited for the 2.5 GHz dual G5 that might be available in a few months for maybe a lower price.
I bet that not one tax dollar has been spent, they are usually funded by donations + they will probably earn money by selling computer time.
And if they waited for a rumored 2.5GHz you'll probably say that they should wait for the 3GHz and so on, and so on.
It seems to me that Apple figures that If the incoming university students do not get G5s they will switch to PCs. They figure that the rest of you are true believers and are not going anywhere so they can stick it to you as deeply and as often as they want to. I now agree with another poster from another thread. You should all cancel your orders and wait until you can pick one up in a store near you since you are not likely to get it any sooner than that anyway. Send Apple a message that you are tired of this type of treatment... that is unless you are are not tired of it.
I understand that there are other universities that have received G5s in quantity. People who did not order them can just walk in and buy one.
But not one of them are DP2.0GHZ machines, are they?
Originally posted by Mac Voyer
It seems to me that Apple figures that If the incoming university students do not get G5s they will switch to PCs. They figure that the rest of you are true believers and are not going anywhere so they can stick it to you as deeply and as often as they want to. I now agree with another poster from another thread. You should all cancel your orders and wait until you can pick one up in a store near you since you are not likely to get it any sooner than that anyway. Send Apple a message that you are tired of this type of treatment... that is unless you are are not tired of it.
man, these are all rumors... apple will ship the machines to everyone as soon as they can and they will make decisions who to send some machines first... they have over 100.000 pre-orders - most of them are dual 2GHz - the 1000 that shall ship to virgina tech wouldn't lead to another 10-15 days of waiting... what do you all think? that apple just ships 1000 duals all 2-3 weeks ???? they would need 200 weeks then to ship all preorders - the whole shipment to virgina tech has nothing to do with general shipping delays...
Originally posted by Krassy
man, these are all rumors... apple will ship the machines to everyone as soon as they can and they will make decisions who to send some machines first...
Apple's decision to ship initial dual G5s to educational customers is no rumor at all. This is from the e-mail Apple sent me during the weekend:
"The demand for the dual processor PowerMac has been overwhelming and our employees are working around the clock to meet demand. Initial units will be sent to education institutions to meet key back to school deadlines. We currently anticipate shipping your new G5 PowerMac in 10-15 business days."
The Virginia supercomputer project aside, what I want to know is why so many college students apparently want a dual G5 and how are they able to afford it. I know the student discount for a dual G5 is just 10%, so that doesn't explain it.
Originally posted by JLL
I bet that not one tax dollar has been spent, they are usually funded by donations + they will probably earn money by selling computer time.
And if they waited for a rumored 2.5GHz you'll probably say that they should wait for the 3GHz and so on, and so on.
All I care about is that the university order probably added a week ot two to the delivery date of my dual G5. The world doesn't need yet another university built supercomputer. Who exactly is clamoring for this thing to be built aside from the college professors and students who will have fun doing it at taxpayers expense?
Originally posted by Tidris
The world doesn't need yet another university built supercomputer.
Perhaps I missed it, but has the cure for cancer, AIDS and other stuff been found yet?