v″Yes″ displayed in a red box indicates that the switch supervisor has failed and it is not responding to the frame supervisor.

Note: Clicking ″Help″ in the Notebook window's lower right corner displays attribute descriptions.

Selecting appropriate switch clocks

The following procedure describes how to select a clock source for a switch assembly, followed by an explanation on how to determine which clock source to use on each assembly.

Attention: Changing switch clocks will interrupt use of the switch feature; therefore, switch clocks should be reselected only due to a component failure or scheduled service of part of the machine. Even momentary interruption of the switch clocks (which occurs when reselecting switch clocks), might require recovery step(s) to bring all the processor nodes on-line. In this case, use of all processor nodes in the frame or frame(s) might be interrupted during the recovery procedure.

Selecting the switch clock source

1.Manual method for any SP system: From an AIX window, enter:

spmon -G -m i framex spmon -G -m 1 framex spmon -G -m 2 framex spmon -G -m 3 framex

2.Topology file method:

a.From an AIX window, enter:

Eclock

(The display will tell you the current clock topology.)

b.To select an alternate clock topology, enter: Eclock -afilename

Refer to IBM RS/6000 SP: Command and Technical Reference for more information on the correct file name to use.

Determining the correct switch clock source

All switch assemblies in the system must run off the same clock source. The following procedure describes how to determine the correct clock settings for each switch assembly based on standard cabling configurations:

1.Determine the number of logical frames in the system.

2.Determine which clock choice to use for the system.

3.Locate the appropriate box in Table 3-4 on page 3-7,using the number of logical frames and the master clock choice.

4.Based on information in this box, set the switch clock source for each logical frame. Lxx- represents the logical frame number

Sxx- represents a multi-switch frame

i or 0, 1, 2, or 3 indicates the appropriate clock setting for that logical frame: i or 0 Internal Clock (SPS)

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IBM RS/6000 SP manual Selecting appropriate switch clocks, Selecting the switch clock source, Eclock
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RS/6000 SP specifications

The IBM RS/6000 SP (Scalable Power) is a high-performance computing system that was developed in the early 1990s and has since become a significant player in the realm of supercomputing and enterprise solutions. Designed primarily for scientific, engineering, and complex data analysis tasks, the RS/6000 SP provides powerful processing capabilities, enhanced scalability, and features to support demanding applications.

One of the key characteristics of the RS/6000 SP is its modular architecture, which allows for the addition of multiple nodes. Each node is based on IBM's Power architecture, leveraging the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) design to achieve high throughput and efficiency. The system can support configurations ranging from a few nodes to hundreds, enabling organizations to scale their computational power as needed based on workload requirements.

The RS/6000 SP employs advanced interconnect technologies, most notably the SP Switch, which ensures high-speed communication between nodes. This interconnect allows for seamless data transfer, ensuring that the system can handle large datasets and complex computations without bottlenecks. The SP's ability to deliver concurrent processing capabilities makes it ideal for parallel computing tasks, including simulations, modeling, and large-scale computations.

In terms of software, the RS/6000 SP was equipped with AIX, IBM's version of the UNIX operating system, which provides a stable and secure environment for enterprise applications. Furthermore, the system supports a vast array of programming languages and tools, including Fortran, C, and C++, along with libraries and frameworks designed for high-performance computing. This compatibility allows developers to optimize their applications to fully utilize the underlying hardware.

Another notable feature of the RS/6000 SP is its extensive support for various workloads, including database management, multi-user applications, and graphical processing. The system was equipped with high-performance graphics capabilities, making it suitable for tasks that require intensive visualization, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and scientific visualization.

Overall, the IBM RS/6000 SP has solidified its role in the high-performance computing landscape, combining advanced technologies, robust scalability, and flexibility to meet the unique demands of research and enterprise environments. Its legacy continues to influence modern computing architectures, embodying IBM’s commitment to innovation and performance in the pursuit of complex problem-solving capabilities.
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