Eddas Cluster

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The Eddas Cluster is a distributing computing cluster of five dedicated dual 2.3 GHz G5 X Servers from Apple Computer connected loosely to an extension comprised of up to 24 iMac computers located in physics classrooms.  One of the dual X Servers, dubbed Odin, functions as the master node.  Noninteractive calculations are distributed to compute nodes from Odin using the Sun Grid Engine.  Parallel computing also is possible using OpenMPI ; however, because of network configuration, only applications that require low bandwidth are suitable.  The classroom iMacs also are used in alternative configurations, most often with two Linux-based, dual core Xeon workstations from Dell Comptuer. 

The cluster is intended for use by researchers in the natural sciences and mathematics.  So far, it has been used heavily for computational materials and astrophysics applications.

Click here to see the current status of the cluster.

Programs/libraries currently available include the following. 

• GULP
• Wien2k 
• GAUL
• BLAS 
• LAPACK
• Gnu Scientific Library (GSL)
• CLHEP 
• Geant 4
• ROOT
• Bioinformatics applications provided by iNquiry

Prospective users are invited to contact Matthew Zacate to discuss the possibility of using the cluster.  Zacate maintains the cluster in addition to his regular duties; therefore, he needs ample advance notice to install new applications. 

Acknowledgements

Funding for the core of the cluster came from KY EPSCoR grant RSF 012-03. Funding for the classroom nodes comes from the NKU Information Technology Computer Replacement Program.

Home Page of Matthew Zacate Department of Physics and Geology Northern Kentucky University