University of Illinois Launches 640 Xserve Turing Cluster || The Mac Observer

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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.

Turing Cluster

Observer Comments

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Close Name:LaurieF - TMO Forum Mod Posts: 3498 Joined: 15 Jun 2001
Tue Feb 01, 2005 9:34 pm Subject: As Bill Gates might have said...

...640 nodes should be enough servers for anyone.

Reply | Quote

Close Name:Mace Posts: 9163 Joined: 07 Aug 2003
Wed Feb 02, 2005 12:48 am Subject:

Is a smaller effort than VT.

Reply | Quote

Close Name:spxyu02 Posts: 1214 Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Wed Feb 02, 2005 1:52 am Subject:

Damn state schools and all their money!!!

*shakes fist*

Reply | Quote

Close Name:kenaustus Posts: 601 Joined: 27 Jun 2003
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 . . .)

Reply | Quote

Close Name:spxyu02 Posts: 1214 Joined: 04 Aug 2004
Wed Feb 02, 2005 3:13 am Subject:

What company is it that needs a super computer? There's a reason it's universities leading the way here...

Reply | Quote

Close Name:algr Posts: 282 Joined: 07 Aug 2003
Wed Feb 02, 2005 4:32 am Subject: Re: This can get interesting

Take a large company.

This story dates back to the '80s when graphics departments first bought macs without IT assistance. It is also why IT guys are always the most anti-mac.

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View Name:Guest
Wed Feb 02, 2005 7:44 am Subject: and at last

View Name:Guest
Wed Feb 02, 2005 8:41 am Subject:

Close Name:Tiger Posts: 937 Joined: 17 Jun 2003
Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:52 am Subject: to use for what

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.

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View Name:Guest
Wed Feb 02, 2005 10:12 am Subject:

Close Name:AFCdtLoeb Posts: 2533 Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Wed Feb 02, 2005 10:46 am Subject:

Quote
spxyu02 wrote:
What company is it that needs a super computer? There's a reason it's universities leading the way here...

Unless that company happens to be GE, Lockheed, Northrop Grumman, or any of the other ten bazillion companies that do FIE. Come on Brad, you're an engineer!

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Close Name:AFCdtLoeb Posts: 2533 Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Wed Feb 02, 2005 10:56 am Subject:

Quote
spxyu02 wrote:
Damn state schools and all their money!!!

*shakes fist*

Oh, and, you know, ha-ha. Sucker!

::throws up 'horns'::

Reply | Quote

Close Name:RGE Posts: 165 Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:28 am Subject:

Quote
Show the value, not just the quantity

Be realistic: doing that would invalidate the entire existence of the Supercomputer Top 500 list.

Reply | Quote

View Name:Guest
Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:34 am Subject:

Close Name:AFCdtLoeb Posts: 2533 Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:34 am Subject:

Sorry, that was me.

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Close Name:RGE Posts: 165 Joined: 16 Aug 2003
Wed Feb 02, 2005 11:40 am Subject:

Quote
Most of its a virtual spitting competition anyway

Only most?

Reply | Quote

Close Name:jimothy Posts: 581 Joined: 04 Jun 2004
Wed Feb 02, 2005 1:12 pm Subject:

Quote
kenaustus wrote:
CEO loves his iSight chats with his daughter (Little Pumpkin) who is away at university.

Little Pumpkin also uses the iSight to fund her campus drinking binges. Let's hope CEO does not catch those shows.

Reply | Quote

View Name:Guest
Wed Feb 02, 2005 9:04 pm Subject: Is that where lotto money goes?

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