
System Features and Major Components
007-6399-002
35
rack leader node and hosting it on an additional server(s). A separate fabric management server
would supply fabric status information to the system’s administration server periodically or upon
request.
Service Nodes
The functionality of the service “nodes” listed in this subsection are all services that can
technically be shared on a single hardware server unit. System scale, configuration and number of
users generally determines when you add more servers (nodes) and dedicate them to these service
functions. However, you can also have a smaller system where several of the services are
combined on just a single service node. Figure 3-5 shows an example rear view of a 1U service
node. Note that dedicated fabric management nodes are recommended on 8-rack or larger systems.
Mouse
Keyboard
VGA Port
Figure 3-5
Example Rear View of a 1U Service Node
Login Server Function
The login server function within the ICE XA system can be functionally combined with the I/O
gateway server node function in some configurations. One or more per system are supported. Very
large systems with high levels of user logins may use multiple dedicated login server nodes. The
login node functionality is generally used to create and compile programs, and additional login
server nodes can be added as the total number of user logins increase. The login server is usually
the point of submittal for all message passing interface (MPI) applications run in the system. An
MPI job is started from the login node and the sub-processes are distributed to the ICE XA
system’s compute nodes. Another operating factor for a login server is the file system structure. If
the node is NFS-mounting a network storage system outside the ICE system, input data and output
results will need to pass through for each job. Multiple login servers can distribute this load.
Figure 3-6 shows the front and rear connectors and interface slots on a 2U service node.
Summary of Contents for ICE XA
Page 1: ...SGI ICE XA System Hardware User Guide Document Number 007 6399 002 ...
Page 4: ......
Page 12: ......
Page 25: ...Powering the System On and Off 007 6399 002 7 Figure 1 4 Three Phase PDU Example ...
Page 32: ......
Page 65: ...SGI ICE XA Series D Rack 42U 007 6399 002 47 Figure 4 1 D Rack Front Lock Example ...
Page 72: ...54 007 6399 002 4 Rack Information Figure 4 4 E Cell Rack Assembly Example CDU on Left ...
Page 82: ......