This section introduces some general information about logging in, configuring, and using the HP XC environment.
LVS |
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The HP XC system uses the Linux Virtual Server (LVS) to present a single host name for user logins. LVS is a highly scalable virtual server built on a system of real servers. By using LVS, the architecture of the HP XC system is transparent to end users, and they see only a single virtual server. This eliminates the need for users to know how the system is configured in order to successfully log in and use the system. Any changes in the system configuration are transparent to end users. LVS also provides load balancing across login nodes, which distributes login requests to different servers.
Modules |
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The HP XC system provides the Modules Package (not to be confused with Linux kernel modules) to configure and modify the user environment. The Modules Package enables dynamic modification of a user’s environment by means of modulefiles. Modulefiles provide a convenient means for users to tailor their working environment as necessary. One of the key features of modules is to allow multiple versions of the same software to be used in a controlled manner.
A modulefile contains information to configure the shell for an application. Typically, a modulefile contains instructions that alter or set shell environment variables, such as PATH and MANPATH, to enable access to various installed software. Many users on a system can share modulefiles, and users may have their own collection to supplement or replace the shared modulefiles.
Modulefiles can be loaded into the your environment automatically when you log in to the system, or any time you need to alter the environment. The HP XC system does not preload modulefiles.
See Chapter 3 “Configuring Your Environment with Modulefiles” for more information.
Commands |
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The HP XC user environment includes standard Linux commands, LSF commands, SLURM commands, HP-MPI commands, and modules commands. This section provides a brief overview of these command sets.
- Linux commands
You can use standard Linux user commands and tools on the HP XC system. Standard Linux commands are not described in this document, but you can access Linux command descriptions in Linux documentation and manpages. Run the Linux man command with the Linux command name to display the corresponding manpage.
- LSF commands
HP XC supports LSF-HPC and the use of standard LSF commands, some of which operate differently in the HP XC environment from standard LSF behavior. The use of LSF-HPC commands in the HP XC environment is described in Chapter 9 “Using LSF”, and in the HP XC lsf_diff manpage. Information about standard LSF commands is available in Platform Computing Corporation LSF documentation, and in the LSF manpages. For your convenience, the HP XC Documentation CD contains XC LSF manuals from Platform Computing. LSF manpages are available on the HP XC system.
- SLURM commands
HP XC uses the Simple Linux Utility for Resource Management (SLURM) for system resource management and job scheduling. Standard SLURM commands are available through the command line. SLURM functionality is described in Chapter 8 “Using SLURM”. Descriptions of SLURM commands are available in the SLURM manpages. Invoke the man command with the SLURM command name to access them.
- HP-MPI commands
You can run standard HP-MPI commands from the command line. Descriptions of HP-MPI commands are available in the HP-MPI documentation, which is supplied with the HP XC system software.
- Modules commands
The HP XC system uses standard Modules commands to load and unload modulefiles, which are used to configure and modify the user environment. Modules commands are described in “Overview of Modules”.
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