Scyld Training

Penguin offers comprehensive training for installation, configuration, administration and programming of Scyld ClusterWare clusters throughout the year. Our course format is based on an interactive, instructor-led classroom that includes a lecture, hand-outs, hands-on demonstrations and plenty of time to ask questions.

The following courses are available to Scyld ClusterWare users

In addition to our regularly scheduled classes, on-site and off-site training can be scheduled for groups of eight or more. If you cannot make a scheduled class or constitute a large enough private group, we can add you to our waiting list and let you know when a course becomes available.

To register for a scheduled training class or arrange for a private class, please email sales@penguincomputing.com.

Scyld ClusterWare Basics

Scyld ClusterWare Basics is our most popular course and is offered several times a year on the East and West Coasts.

This is a two-day course about designing, constructing, and using a Scyld ClusterWare cluster. It covers the architecture of Beowulf-class clusters, installation, operation and basic administration of Scyld ClusterWare clusters and an outline of tools used for parallel programming.

Scyld ClusterWare Basics is intended for both cluster users and administrators interested in constructing and maintaining a cluster for developing and running parallel applications. Some Linux experience is helpful, but not required.

Day One:

  • Introduction to Scyld ClusterWare cluster terminology and basic concepts
  • Cluster design considerations and software installation
  • Description of cluster components and how they are used
  • Basic cluster operation

Day Two:

  • Compiling and running parallel applications
  • System administration including adding new nodes, checking the status of nodes, changing boot mechanisms, setting up file systems, updating software, etc.
  • Creating and running programs and parallel programming

Introduction to Parallel Programming

This class is available by special arrangement. It is intended for programmers that want to learn how to write parallel programs for Scyld ClusterWare clusters.

Description

A short introduction on parallel computing and architectures will be followed by an introduction to MPI, the Message Passing Interface. Implementation issues, software tools and performance tuning will be also discussed. Several examples will be provided to familiarize the students with MPI.

Attendees should have prior programming experience and be familiar with the use of C and FORTRAN programming languages.


Course Outline:

  • Introduction to parallel computing and architectures
  • Tools and languages for parallel programming
  • Message passing programming:
    • Introduction to MPI
    • Compiling and linking on Scyld ClusterWare
    • Example applications
  • Parallel performance models and analysis>
  • Performance tuning for clusters
  • Parallel file systems and parallel I/O

ClusterWare System Administration

ClusterWare System Administration is an advanced class meant for system administrators and advanced users. Prior attendance at the Scyld ClusterWare Basics class is strongly suggested.

This is a two-day course covering advanced administration of Beowulf-class clusters and hardware configuration. Topics covered include application integration, queue system configuration, hardware configuration, IPMI implementation, network configuration, and cluster storage configuration.

Linux experience is strongly suggested.

Day One:

  • Refresher to Scyld ClusterWare cluster terminology and basic concepts
  • Application integration and optimization
  • Queue configuration

Day Two:

  • Application workflow integration
  • Network configuration in OS and switches
  • Hardware IPMI configuration and features
  • Storage configuration and optimization