Sun Microsystems Sun HPC 3.0, Manual

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CHAPTER
1
Preparing for SCI Installation
This chapter describes the SCI network configurations that are supported by Sun
HPC ClusterTools 3.0 software suite.
Other Necessary Documentation
The hardware installation and service manuals provided with your Sun server are
likely to contain important information about installing SCI adapter cards and
network cables. Please read the applicable sections of the Sun server hardware
manuals before installing and configuring an SCI network on your Sun HPC cluster.
SCI Adapter Cards
Sun HPC 3.0 cluster nodes connect to the SCI network through SCI adapter cards
installed in the node’s SBus slots. In two-node SCI networks, the SCI adapter cards
are ordinarily connected to each other directly, without going through a switch. One
possible exception to this switchless approach is discussed in “Connecting SCI
Adapter Cards in a Two-Node Network” on page 12.
In three- and four-node networks, each adapter card is connected to a port in a
four-port SCI switch. These two basic SCI network connections schemes are shown
in Figure 1–1.
1