Introduction to High Performance Computing
CSCE 590 Section 1
Spring, 2007
http://comp.uark.edu/~aapon/courses/hpc/

 

This course is being taught using streaming high-definition TV over Access Grid and the new Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (AREON) in collaboration with LSU.

Lectures are being given by Dr. Thomas Sterling, the inventor of the Beowulf supercomputer!

TTh 3:30-5:00 in the Mullins Library Access Grid Room, room 225.

For more information contact Dr. Amy Apon.
325 Engineering Hall, 575-6794, aapon@uark.edu
Office Hours: TTh: 10-11am

Red Diamond
http://hpc.uark.edu

 
Prerequisites: C programming, data structures, familiarity with operating systems concepts and computer organization.
Course Materials: There is no required textbook for the course. Materials for the course can be accessed on-line at the LSU site.

Local instructions for the problem sets can be found here.

We will be using Linux for course exercises. If you would like to have a reference book for Linux you may like to select SAMS Teach Yourself Unix in 24 Hours, by Dave Taylor, 4th Edition, 2005. (link)

Grading: Grades in the course will be based on two tests, written problem sets, and class participation. Students taking the course for graduate credit will be required to complete a semester project. The breakdown is as follows:
  • Graduate students: Midterm (25%), Final (30%), Problem Sets (20%), Project (25%)
  • Undergraduate students: Midterm (30%), Final (40%), Problem Sets (30%)
Topics and Schedule:
    Segment 1: Clusters
  • 1/16: Introduction
  • 1/18: Commodity Clusters
  • 1/23: Benchmarking
  • 1/25: Throughput Computing

    Segment 2: Nodes

  • 1/30: Parallel Computer Architecture
  • 2/1: Single Node Architecture and Performance
  • 2/6: Parallel Threads Programming
  • 2/8: Open MP Programming
  • 2/13: Performance Measurement 1

    Segment 3: MPI

  • 2/15: Communicating Sequential Processes
  • 2/20: Discussion
  • 2/22 MPI Programming
  • 2/27: Performance Measurement 2
  • 3/1, 3/6: Parallel Algorithms

  • 3/8: Midterm Exam

    Segment 4: Enabling Technologies

  • 3/13: Device and Component Technologies
  • 3/15: Networks for Clusters

  • 3/17-3/25: Spring Break

    Segment 5: System Software

  • 3/27-3/29: Parallel File I/O
  • 4/3: Operating Systems (pre-recorded)
  • 4/5: Schedulers (pre-recorded)

    Segment 6: Advanced Technologies

  • 4/10-4/12: Libraries
  • 4/17-4/19: Visualization
  • 4/24: Domain Specific Programming and Frameworks
  • 4/26: Applications

    Segment 7: Conclusions

  • 5/1: Beyond and Beyond
  • 5/3: Summary
  • 5/10: (Thursday) Final Exam at 12:30-2:30, location TBD
Safety and Computer Use: All use of computer equipment at the University of Arkansas falls under the acceptable computer use guidelines of the University. Any violations of these guidelines will result in dismissal from the course with a failing grade, and possible punitive or legal action!
Inclement Weather Policy: You may assume that class will be held unless you hear otherwise. If Fayetteville Public Schools are not in session then I will send email to the class mail list by 1pm if class will not be held. If csce.uark.edu is down, or if for some other reason I cannot send email then I will send a message though the CSCE Department office if possible. If class is cancelled then we will discuss schedule changes during the next class period. If class is cancelled on the day that an assignment is due or a test is scheduled then the scheduled date will be the next class period.
Course Credit: You should enroll in CSCE 590 Section 1 for 3 hours of course credit.

Last modified: Tue Jan 23 14:53:44 Central Standard Time 2007