Quick Start Guide for vcluster.uh.edu

  Last update: 04-07-2005

1. Log in:

        When you log in the first time, system will check if you have
        set up password-less log in to cluster nodes.  You will see

          It doesn't appear that you have set up your ssh key.
          This process will make the files:
            /home/yourid/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
            /home/yourid/.ssh/id_rsa
            /home/yourid/.ssh/authorized_keys

            Generating public/private rsa key pair.
            Enter file in which to save the key (/home/yourid/.ssh/id_rsa):
            Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):
            Enter same passphrase again:
            Your identification has been saved in /home/yourid/.ssh/id_rsa.
            Your public key has been saved in /home/yourid/.ssh/id_rsa.pub.
            The key fingerprint is:
             yourid@vcluster.uh.edu

        If you are not sure what to do, just press ENTER for all questions.


2. Use packages:

        Usepackage is installed for package selection.

        prompt> use -l          (to see all packages)
        prompt> use mpich       (to use mpich)
        prompt> use mpich-xlf   (to use mpich with gcc/xlf)


3. MPICH:

        MPICH 1.2.6 is installed with 3 different flavors:

          mpich:        default MPICH with gcc/g77
          mpich-shmem:  MPICH with gcc/g77 and shared memory (ch_shmem)
          mpich-xlf:    MPICH with gcc/xlf/xlf90

        To compile, use mpiCC/mpicxx/mpif77/mpif90.  mpif90 is only
        available in mpich-xlf and must use ".f" suffix (file extension) for
        your Fortran 90 programs.

        Sample machine file can be found /etc/machines.


4. Misc:

        File names are case-insensitive in Mac OS X.
        Problems or questions: e-mail mark@nsm.uh.edu.