2002 - cesnet

In addition to PC cluster, we purchased the first server with a 64-bit architecturein 2002 (IA-64) by Intel, with 2 Itanium II processors, 6 GB central memory and atotal of 100 GB of directly connected disk capacity. The server was produced byHP which supplied it in a fully functional configuration only by the end of theyear. In 2003, we will connect the server to the infrastructure of MetaCentrumand provide access for the Czech academic community, so that those who areinterested in this architecture can test it before purchasing their own.This approach has already proven practical with previous clusters, when theFaculty of Natural Sciences, MU Brno purchased its own cluster with 80 processors(also Intel Pentium 4 Xeon), based on their experience with the utilizationof MetaCentrum clusters. Like a similar cluster in Plzeň, this cluster will be fullyintegrated in MetaCentrum and administered analogically to other computingsources.In 2002, the backup capacities of the large-volume tape library in Brno were furtherused. Regular backup is carried out with the use of the NetWorker systemby Legato. The backup includes all systems of MetaCentrum, and the transmissioncapacity of CESNET2 is still sufficient, even despite the increasing volumesof backup data. The capacity of the tape library is currently used at over 75 %.The infrastructure provided by MetaCentrum also includes basic software.A full and up-to-date summary is available at the website of MetaCentrum. Wehave already purchased, and we now keep updated, particularly, compilers byPortland Group (predominantly the important Fortran compilers, used for a significantpart of the used application software), debugging and tracing tools forparallel programs running on clusters, i.e., TotalView, Vampir and Vampir Traceby Etnus, and Matlab – an extensive package for engineering computations. MPIis also a necessity, both in the form of free versions (LAM and MPICH) and commercialversions MPIpro, with Myrinet controllers.MetaCentrum has still been using the AFS system of files; however, we are currentlyusing the Open Source version almost exclusively (OpenAFS).7.1.1 SecurityAuthentication of users within MetaCentrum is provided by the Kerberos 5system. In 2002, we carried on with full integration of the used instruments andthe Kerberos system, and with the transparent interlinking of Kerberos and PKIsystems (based on certificates). MetaCentrum makes use of CESNET’s certificationauthority, enabling direct access for users who have its valid certificate.During 2002, individual nodes of MetaCentrum were upgraded to the new versionsof the Heimdal system (non-US implementation of Kerberos 5, in whichmembers of MetaCentrum are involved) and the OpenSSH system (3.4).98 High-speed National Research Network and its New Applications 2002