Re: eVLBI PCs discussion points (fwd)
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From: <cwest_at_email.protected>
Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 12:01:11 +1000 (EST)
JR,
It is easy enough to purchase a USB to Serial cable and use that for the
extra serial port(s).
On Fri, 3 Jun 2005, John Reynolds wrote:
>Chris,
>
>Bear in mind we run a Mk3/Mk4/Mk5 at Parkes on the same machine. At
>present we use one serial port which is manually changed between the DAS
>and the Mk3/4/5. This arrangement is OK, but a 2nd serial port would be
>useful to avoid this. (Existing machine has two ports but Simone couldn't
>make this work).
>
>Cheers,
>john R
>
>On Fri, 3 Jun 2005, Chris Phillips wrote:
>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> Sorry for the continued spam. Giving everyone the opportunity to take part
>>> in this if they want to. As Tasso is calling from overseas on his mobile,
>>> we want to try and keep the meeting focused and as brief as needed. I feel
>>> the following will be the discussion points. But please feel free to bring
>>> up other issues you feel need to be discussed before we start purchasing
>>> machines.
>>>
>>> *******************************************************************
>>>
>>> - Comments on recommended hardware from anyone
>>> - Does everyone want 2 CPU
>>> o I think this is worthwhile as it may allow us to do some nice
>>> stuff like have a simple autocorrelator running during recording
>>> (I actually think running the PCFS may not warrant a second
>>> CPU)
>>> - Amount of RAM
>>> I think 1 GB per CPU is reasonable and there is still two slots
>>> per CPU (DIMMS go in pairs these days for speed) to allow us
>>> to add more later if we need it when we connect to the network.
>>> We don't know how much we need for this so best to add it later I
>>> think
>>> - IDE disk housings.
>>> I have chosen a rackmount case with enough external 5.25" bays
>>> for simple removable IDE (PATA) disks. We could add special
>>> hotswap bays which may be nicer and need less space. This this
>>> are probably not standard size so we may lock ourselves in doing
>>> this. The IDE drives are not the main recording medium anyhow.
>>> - Rackmount case
>>> The chosen rackmount case is good quality, but does not have a
>>> huge amount of space for lots of fixed disks (in the future).
>>> Is this a problem?
>>> - Serial ports
>>> These boards may only have one serial port (possibly two, not
>>> clear). One is needed for the DAS. We can use USB->serial. Might
>>> this be an issue anywhere?
>>>
>>> - Craig has seen a newer version of the motherboard is now available
>>> it looks a little bit better
>>> o Two IDE (PATA) controllers (rather than one)
>>> This means we do not have to add a PATA controller card
>>> o On board video (no need to add video card)
>>> o Extra 100 Mbps NIC (so three in total).
>>> o No firewire, so need to add firewire card
>>> o $100 more expensive, but changed cards needed means we end
>>> up needing one less card and cost is about the same
>>> o Will take two weeks to order (adds time to whole procedure)
>>>
>>> - What to do about screens. The options are (and will vary with
>>> observatory)
>>> o Normal screen
>>> o Rackmount fold-down screen
>>> o IP video ($700 adapter which sends copy of VGA onto network
>>> and can be viewed with Java based web browser. Nice approach
>>> (and would allow very remote admin including reboots) but it
>>> probably not warranted
>>> o No screen
>>> - Do I order screens for those who want them (maybe e.g. UTAS can handle
>>> this themselves, unless they want rackmount screens).
>>>
>>> - We still need to double check both motherboards are supported by Linux
>>> 2.4.
>>>
>>> - Should we spend time porting the system to Linux 2.6?
>>>
>>> Cheers
>>> Chris
>>>
>
Cheers
Craig...
Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 12:01:11 +1000 (EST)
JR,
It is easy enough to purchase a USB to Serial cable and use that for the
extra serial port(s).
On Fri, 3 Jun 2005, John Reynolds wrote:
>Chris,
>
>Bear in mind we run a Mk3/Mk4/Mk5 at Parkes on the same machine. At
>present we use one serial port which is manually changed between the DAS
>and the Mk3/4/5. This arrangement is OK, but a 2nd serial port would be
>useful to avoid this. (Existing machine has two ports but Simone couldn't
>make this work).
>
>Cheers,
>john R
>
>On Fri, 3 Jun 2005, Chris Phillips wrote:
>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> Sorry for the continued spam. Giving everyone the opportunity to take part
>>> in this if they want to. As Tasso is calling from overseas on his mobile,
>>> we want to try and keep the meeting focused and as brief as needed. I feel
>>> the following will be the discussion points. But please feel free to bring
>>> up other issues you feel need to be discussed before we start purchasing
>>> machines.
>>>
>>> *******************************************************************
>>>
>>> - Comments on recommended hardware from anyone
>>> - Does everyone want 2 CPU
>>> o I think this is worthwhile as it may allow us to do some nice
>>> stuff like have a simple autocorrelator running during recording
>>> (I actually think running the PCFS may not warrant a second
>>> CPU)
>>> - Amount of RAM
>>> I think 1 GB per CPU is reasonable and there is still two slots
>>> per CPU (DIMMS go in pairs these days for speed) to allow us
>>> to add more later if we need it when we connect to the network.
>>> We don't know how much we need for this so best to add it later I
>>> think
>>> - IDE disk housings.
>>> I have chosen a rackmount case with enough external 5.25" bays
>>> for simple removable IDE (PATA) disks. We could add special
>>> hotswap bays which may be nicer and need less space. This this
>>> are probably not standard size so we may lock ourselves in doing
>>> this. The IDE drives are not the main recording medium anyhow.
>>> - Rackmount case
>>> The chosen rackmount case is good quality, but does not have a
>>> huge amount of space for lots of fixed disks (in the future).
>>> Is this a problem?
>>> - Serial ports
>>> These boards may only have one serial port (possibly two, not
>>> clear). One is needed for the DAS. We can use USB->serial. Might
>>> this be an issue anywhere?
>>>
>>> - Craig has seen a newer version of the motherboard is now available
>>> it looks a little bit better
>>> o Two IDE (PATA) controllers (rather than one)
>>> This means we do not have to add a PATA controller card
>>> o On board video (no need to add video card)
>>> o Extra 100 Mbps NIC (so three in total).
>>> o No firewire, so need to add firewire card
>>> o $100 more expensive, but changed cards needed means we end
>>> up needing one less card and cost is about the same
>>> o Will take two weeks to order (adds time to whole procedure)
>>>
>>> - What to do about screens. The options are (and will vary with
>>> observatory)
>>> o Normal screen
>>> o Rackmount fold-down screen
>>> o IP video ($700 adapter which sends copy of VGA onto network
>>> and can be viewed with Java based web browser. Nice approach
>>> (and would allow very remote admin including reboots) but it
>>> probably not warranted
>>> o No screen
>>> - Do I order screens for those who want them (maybe e.g. UTAS can handle
>>> this themselves, unless they want rackmount screens).
>>>
>>> - We still need to double check both motherboards are supported by Linux
>>> 2.4.
>>>
>>> - Should we spend time porting the system to Linux 2.6?
>>>
>>> Cheers
>>> Chris
>>>
>
Cheers
Craig...
--- Craig West Supercomputer Research Assistant Astrophysics and Supercomputing Swinburne University of Technology Australia Phone: +61 3 9214 5244 Fax : +61 3 9214 8797Received on 2005-06-03 12:01:33