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Subject: Re: MultiProcessor Systems, many questions...

Author: Dann Corbit

Date: 18:01:42 07/06/99

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On July 06, 1999 at 16:24:09, Zachariah Amela wrote:
>On July 06, 1999 at 15:46:02, Dann Corbit wrote:
>>On July 06, 1999 at 15:38:49, Zachariah Amela wrote:
>>
>>>Hello all.  I am most interested in this type of system configuration,
>>>especially in the realm of computer chess programming.  Any information would be
>>> most gratefully accepted.
>>>
>>>My question are:
>>>
>>>How exactly does this work?  How would one code for such a system?
>>There are many different ways to make this work.  The way one codes for such a
>>system depends largely on what you have decided to do.  It is fairly difficult
>>for chess, because you must decide what is separable and what is not.  Also,
>>access to hash tables, etc. must be controlled so that you don't try two
>>simultaneous operations for which at least one is a write.
>>
>>>Who produces multiprocessor systems currenlty?  I know Sun does as does Oracle,
>>>but anyone in the x86 universe?
>>Lots and lots.  A web search will turn up hundreds of companies.
>
>Which would you recommend?
I have no specific recommendation.  Without knowing the specific system
requirements that you are seeking, it would be foolhardy to guess.  We are
talking about serious money with multiple CPU systems.

>>>What operating systems support these systems?  WindowsNT?  Linux?  MacOS?
>>>SunOS?
>>For sure all of them, except perhaps MacOS.  I know of all the others.  Also any
>>UNIX, OpenVMS, MVS, etc.  Just about every modern OS has threads.
>
>Again, which would you recommend?  I am most familiar w/ Windows, but have some
>UNIX and Mac background.  I have only developed software for Windows
>(professionally) and the old Apple and/or Mac (for my own fun) systems.
Recommend for what reason?  Mass market appeal?  Available tool sets?  Maximum
performance?...

>>>What is Beowulf?
>>A multiprocessing model.  I think it won't work well for chess.  But go ahead
>>and try it if you like.
>
>Do you have a web resource that I might view? Thank you.
http://www.beowulf.org/


>>>Where could one purchase such a system?  Better question;  how could somone make
>>>his/her customer machine in this fashion?
>>Try a web search.  There are too many answers.
>>
>>>What chess programs utilize this system?  KnightCap?  GNU?
>>Crafty is SMP.  Also, the new Diep and several other programs at WCCC99.  You
>>can look them up at the web page.  Cilkchess uses a very different programming
>>metaphor for multiple CPU's -- a language called CILK which is close to C but
>>used for work distribution.
>
>Cilk, yes I have heard of that somewhere.  Sounds most interesting.
http://supertech.lcs.mit.edu/cilk/



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