University of Illinois Launches 640 Xserve Turing Cluster
University of Illinois Launches 640 Xserve Turing Cluster
by , 8:15 PM EST, February 1st, 2005
As noted by AppleInsider, the University of Illinois has implemented a 640-node Xserve G5 cluster called the Turing Cluster. The project is operated by the school's Computational Science and Engineering Graduate Option Program, and was provided by Apple to the school "under a combination purchase/donation agreement."
The Turing Cluster is available to students and faculty for school-related projects. The school's Usage Policies specify that "the cluster is to be used for scientific and engineering computational jobs only; no other work is allowed." In addition, sponsors of the program, all different departments in schools in the University of Illinois, can utilize the system for their own projects.
The cluster uses 640 dual 2GHz Xserves, for a total of 1280 processors, each with 4 gigabytes of RAM. The Xserves are installed in 19 racks, each with 32 to 35 Xserves. For storage, the Turing Cluster uses two Xserve RAIDs for a total of seven terabytes of storage.
The Turing Cluster joins other notable Xserve clusters such as System X at Virginia Tech and a cluster of 1,566 Xserves for the US Army. Apple is a new player to the High Performance Computing market, but has made substantial inroads with the Xserve, Xserve RAID, Xgrid, and Xsan.
A picture of the Turing Cluster from University of Illinois Web site.
The University of Illinois has posted a photo gallery of the project, showing it at various stages of development. You can also see a rather blurry, but live image of the cluster through the Turing Cluster Webcam.
AppleInsider's coverage includes additional information about the move to Mac OS X, and other related information.
Observer Comments
Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:34 pm Subject: As Bill Gates might have said...
Wed Feb 02, 2005 2:19 am Subject: This can get interesting
Take a large company. R&D wants to get a super computer with X number of nodes. The iT guys say that they will contact Dell to see what is needed. R&D guys say, "Dude, what have you been smoking", go to the CEO and talks about all the Apple super computers blowing out the door - cheaper, easier to set up, faster and lower costs for power and cooling.
CEO tells IT that R&D will handle the details for the multi Mac nodes. Stunned, IT guys say they always use Dulls. CEO tells them to keep out of the way and gives R&D the go ahead.
R&D installs their super computer in record time as IT guys are banned from the site - plus they are too busy maintaining their Dull network.
CEO checks things out, is blown away and asks IT why they are not considering Mac minis for replacements around the company. IT guys ask what an Mac mini is, CEO refers them to his 15 year old son for a full briefing.
Phase two:
CEO's son said, "Told you so. Now let's go to the Apple Store and set the family up right." CEO loves his iSight chats with his daughter (Little Pumpkin) who is away at university.
Phase three:
CEO declares that only Macs will be used in the Executive Offices. IT buys a single Mac mini, hides it in a closet and starts to learn about Macs. (CEO did get the 2.5 PM with the 30" display . . .)
Wed Feb 02, 2005 4:32 am Subject: Re: This can get interesting
As a side issue its nice to see at long last (be it only in many small ways) that Alan Turing is finally getting the recognition he has long deserved for his contribution to computing, and especially pleasing it is spreading outside of his base in Manchester and that now that recognition is spreading to the States in particular. Brings a tear to the eye and so much more appropriate it is a Mac based set up exemplifying his own initiative and innovation than some bland Dell clone system which would have him turning in his grave.
As many of us know, "IT Services" , "IT Assistance" and "IT Support" are all oxymorons. with a capital MORON. If you can use a Mac, means you can buy a Mac yourself, and you can 'Administer' a Mac yourself. f8ck IT and their windows bullsh1te.
BTW, in that story, CEO's Little Pumpkin at college one day accidentally leaves iSight on while her boyfriend Big Joe comes over for a visit. CEO makes mental note to not get any iSights ever for his company.
QuoteTiger wrote:
I love all the stories about Universities building XServe clusters...mine did. But what would be better is stories about what they're being used for, problems being solved, massive data being examined, etc.
Show the value, not just the quantity.
why dont' you ask these people that question
http://www.top500.org/
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