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Using a bunch of MacPros in a cluster for COMSOL computing?

Tom Alexander Solgård

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I have access to a bunch of Mac Pro computers with lots of RAM and CPU power. Is it possible to set them up for COMSOL cluster computing in an easy way?



1 Reply Last Post 30.01.2011, 18:58 GMT-5
Jim Freels mechanical side of nuclear engineering, multiphysics analysis, COMSOL specialist

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Posted: 1 decade ago 30.01.2011, 18:58 GMT-5
COMSOL 4.1 works in distributed parallel processing using "general" cluster and the Microsoft Server HPC. You can remove the Microsoft option out of the picture for your question. Next step would be to learn how to set up your set of Macs as a integrated MPI-based cluster. I have never done this, nor would I spend the time needed to do this, but you may be interested. If I Google "mpi distributed computing" I found this link.

developer.apple.com/hardwaredrivers/hpc/mpionmacosx.html

We use Redhat cluster software out of the box set up for cluster computing using MPI. COMSOL supports this and it works great for us. Maybe if you converted all your Macs to RHEL you could get it to work ?

Good luck.
COMSOL 4.1 works in distributed parallel processing using "general" cluster and the Microsoft Server HPC. You can remove the Microsoft option out of the picture for your question. Next step would be to learn how to set up your set of Macs as a integrated MPI-based cluster. I have never done this, nor would I spend the time needed to do this, but you may be interested. If I Google "mpi distributed computing" I found this link. http://developer.apple.com/hardwaredrivers/hpc/mpionmacosx.html We use Redhat cluster software out of the box set up for cluster computing using MPI. COMSOL supports this and it works great for us. Maybe if you converted all your Macs to RHEL you could get it to work ? Good luck.

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