Clusternews(TM)
Sponsored by Linux Networx, Inc.
Powerful Cluster Technology(TM)
Issue #10

The bi-monthly information source on the latest in Linux clustering and happenings here at Linux Networx.

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In this issue:

Announcement: Linux Networx Supercomputer Powers U.S. Government Antiterrorism Smallpox Research

Article: Nemak, Linux Networx Create Faster Metalcasting Simulations

In the News: Technology Offers Cost Savings for Life Sciences Research

Events: ISC 2003, ClusterWorld

FACQ: Frequently Asked Clustering Questions

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Announcement:

Linux Networx Supercomputer Powers U.S. Government Antiterrorism Smallpox Research Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Uses Cluster to Analyze Vaccines

Linux Networx announced today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is using a Linux NetworxTM EvolocityTM cluster supercomputer to study smallpox genomics in light of the threat of possible bioterror attacks. The cluster is designed to provide optimum performance for bioinformatics problems and will be used by the Biotechnology Core Facility Branch at CDC, the nation's leading public health agency. Due to health problems caused by the current smallpox vaccine, CDC is using the extra computing power to study the disease and evaluate new vaccines.

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Article:

Nemak, Linux Networx Create Faster Metalcasting Simulations

Linux Networx

Challenge

As global competition in the automotive and metalcasting industry increases, the need to exceed customers' expectations becomes crucial. Casting simulation technology provides the ability to streamline the casting process and shorten the development cycle. Nemak, a producer of aluminum cast automotive parts, needed a solution that could simulate mold designs faster and with more accuracy than its SGI Origin 2000 supercomputer.

Nemak needed to produce an average of 10 simulations per product to meet the demands of its customers.

Read more at http://www.lnxi.com/clusternews/?current=1#article

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In the News:

Technology Offers Cost Savings for Life Sciences Research

Linux Networx is a leader in the area of cluster computer technology, a method of linking multiple computers through high-speed networks to form a single and more powerful system. Linux Networx's end-to-end enterprise solutions utilize a combination of standard off-the-shelf (AMD Athlon or Intel Pentium processors) and proprietary hardware construction, along with complementary administrative tools and control applications.

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CDC Uses Linux Cluster To Study Smallpox

Since the beginning of the year, the CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases has been using a Linux cluster to run bioinformatics programs that will help scientists better understand smallpox, a contagious, infectious disease for which there is no specific treatment. The cluster consists of 40 Athlon MP processors from Advanced Micro Devices, Evolocity rack-mounted servers from Linux Networx, and several Ice Box appliances, also from Linux Networx.

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Linux cluster speeds CDC's smallpox research

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has turned to a high-performance Linux cluster to accelerate its basic research into smallpox. Specifically, the Biotechnology Core Facility Branch of the CDC is using a Linux NetworX Evolocity cluster comprised of 40 AMD Athlon MP processors to study the smallpox disease and to evaluate new vaccines.

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Gushing over Linux

One company that is working to tighten Linux cluster operation is Linux Networx, which mixes Linux-based Intel clusters and proprietary software to create systems with more of a single-image appearance. Shell International Exploration & Production (Shell E&P) installed a cluster of 112 Linux nodes with the help of Linux Networx.

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Layer by Layer

CIS used Apple's Shake to composite all the shots except for those depicting the outer core, which were done in Discreet's inferno. Modeling, animation, and compositing were performed on Linux machines from Boxx Technologies and Angstrom Microsystems; rendering was done on Intel- and AMD-based Linux machines from Linux Networx.

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Linux Suits Up for the Enterprise

If all company verticals from airplane manufacturers to German police forces use Linux, then the answer is "everyone," right? Olafur Rognvaldsson, CEO of the Institute for Meteorological Research in Iceland, calls the price-to-performance benefits of Linux clusters unbeatable-his organization is able to carry out research modeling that it could not do before it adopted technology from Linux Networx.

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Events and Speaking Engagements:

Event: ISC 2003
Location: Heidelberg, Germany
Date: June 24-27, 2003
Booth #: 36
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Event: ClusterWorld
Location: San Jose Convention Center, San Jose CA
Date: June 24, 2003
Speaker: Padmanaabhan Iyer, Director of Training
Topic: Linux Clusters: Supercomputing Solutions for the Life Sciences
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Event: ClusterWorld
Location: San Jose Convention Center, San Jose CA
Date: June 25, 2003
Speaker: Kim Clark, VP of Engineering
Topic: Building the World's Most Powerful Cluster

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Frequently Asked Clustering Questions:

With each Linux Networx newsletter, we will provide some useful Linux clustering information as well as specific Linux Networx clustering tips.

Q: How do I make passwords and user accounts the same throughout my cluster?

A: Setting up a NIS domain within the cluster can provide this functionality. This is typically done by setting up the host as a NIS server and the nodes as NIS clients. +To setup NIS on the host you will need to edit the /etc/nsswitch.conf, /etc/yp.conf and /etc/sysconfig/network files. +The initial files for the NIS domain must be created by going to the /var/yp directory and running 'ypinit -m' to create the necessary files. +You must also set up 'ypbind' to start at boot. +This can be done by running the command '/sbin/chkconfig --level 345 ypbind on.' +Additional information on running NIS in Linux can be found at: http://www.linux-nis.org/nis-howto.

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Q: How can I run a command on all of my nodes?

A: The runall command can be used for this purpose. +By default it will run a command on all of the nodes within the cluster. +The runall command can also be used to run commands on specified nodes or run commands in parallel on all specified nodes or all nodes within the cluster. +The following options are available: To run a command on all nodes within the cluster type 'runall command' (where command is the command you would like to run). To run a command on only specified nodes type 'runall -n n1-n5 command' (where n1,n2,n3,n4,n5 are the nodes you would like to run the command on and command is the commmand you would like to run). To run a command in parallel on all the nodes type 'runall -p command.' Additional information on the runall command can be found in 'man runall.'

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Q: Why doesn't the Clusterworx daemon work on my node which was recently returned from RMA?

A: You should have received an e-mail with a new Clusterworx license key. +You can insert this key in place of the old key through the Clusterworx GUI by editing the /opt/lnxi/var/nodeboot/nodes.conf file for Clusterworx 2.1, or you can edit /etc/cluster.xml with the command 'bam edit raw' for Clusterworx 2.2.1.

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