Terralyn discussed the existing cluster computing system at the FSL, which is presently not used to capacity. The cluster consists of 32 separate PCs (called “nodes”) that are running Linux. One is the master, or controlling, node, and the rest are “compute” nodes. The cluster runs a queuing system called the Parallel Batch System (PBS) . To use the cluster, jobs must be separated by the user into distinct processes, which then produce separate output files. PBS farms each one out to different nodes, and then the user needs to stitch the output files back together. In this system, nodes cannot communicate with one another; a node works on one spatial location and is oblivious to the processes running in all neighboring locations. ArcInfo cannot run on this system, but GDAL, which can use multiple spatial formats, including ESRI, can (ask Matt if you’re interested).
In contrast, the College of Engineering has a high-powered cluster ( with individual nodes that have 4-10 GB RAM each ) that has the ability to utilize “shared memory,” which means that one large problem can be loaded, and all nodes will be utilized and can communicate with each other. Their cluster is somewhat underutilized, so COE is open to other research groups joining their system, as long as newcomers buy new nodes to help expand the cluster’s capacity.
If people need to use a “shared memory” cluster, joining COE’s cluster is probably the way to go. The College of Forestry is unlikely to have such a cluster in the near future. Managing multiple clusters could be difficult and unnecessary, so Terralyn will look into the possibilities of setting up multiple queues or entry points into the cluster, so that more than one group can access the cluster at one time. So far we haven’t had enough users to warrant this, but there are enough nodes in the cluster to handle multiple queues.
Resources from the web:
One-meter color DOQs (county mosaics) have been produced. They have not been edgematched. The state is working with the Institute for Natural Resources to figure out how to distribute these to the public. It will probably be at least September before they are available online. They will eventually have DOQs from multiple years available for comparison purposes. The photos were taken with film (not digital). The state will produce ½-meter color DOQs from the same film after the 1-meter versions are completed.
Link to site to download county mosaics: NRCS Data Gateway
Theresa has Benton and Lane Counties available on portable disk drive.