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High Performance Computing tutorials

This source code includes tutorials targeting a general audience that will help users to use high performance computing environments and systems at Livermore Computing and beyond. Examples of HPC tools covered include mpi and posix. Tutorials may include source code demonstrating usage.

Herriman, JaneE.↗

High Performance Computing - Power Application Programming Interface Specification Version 1.4

Measuring and controlling the power and energy consumption of high performance computing systems by various components in the software stack is an active research area [13, 3, 5, 10, 4, 21, 19, 16, 7, 17, 20, 18, 11, 1, 6, 14, 12]. Implementations in lower level software layers are beginning to emerge in some production systems, which is very welcome. To be most effective, a portable interface to measurement and control features would significantly facilitate participation by all levels of the software stack. We present a proposal for a standard power Application Programming Interface (API) that endeavors to cover the entire software space, from generic hardware interfaces to the input from the computer facility manager.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

High Performance Computing - Power Application Programming Interface Specification Version 2.0.

Measuring and controlling the power and energy consumption of high performance computing systems by various components in the software stack is an active research area. Implementations in lower level software layers are beginning to emerge in some production systems, which is very welcome. To be most effective, a portable interface to measurement and control features would significantly facilitate participation by all levels of the software stack. We present a proposal for a standard power Application Programming Interface (API) that endeavors to cover the entire software space, from generic hardware interfaces to the input from the computer facility manager.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

2016 High Performance Computing Annual Report

Sandia National Laboratories’ California site is celebrating its 60th anniversary (1956 to 2016), and high performance computing has been a key enabler for its scientists and engineers throughout much of its history. Since its founding, Sandia California has helped pioneer the use of HPC platforms including hosting Sandia’s first Cray-1 supercomputer in the 1970s and supporting development of scalable cluster computing platforms to create a new paradigm for cost-effective supercomputing in the 1990s. Recent decades of investment in creation of scalable application frameworks for scientific computing have also enabled new generations of modeling and simulation codes. These resources have facilitated computational analysis of complex phenomena in diverse applications spanning national defense, energy, and homeland security. Today, Sandia California researchers work with partners in academia, industry, and national labs to evolve the state-of-the-art in HPC, modeling, and data analysis (including foundational capabilities for exascale computing platforms) and apply them in transformational ways. Research efforts include mitigating the effects of silent hardware failures that can jeopardize the results of large-scale computations, developing exascale-capable asynchronous task-parallel programming models and runtime systems, formulating new techniques to better explore and analyze extreme-scale data sets, and increasing our understanding of materials and chemical sciences which has applications spanning nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship to more efficient automobile engines. The following section highlights some of these research and applications projects and further illustrates the breadth of our HPC capabilities.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Information Power Grid: Distributed High-Performance Computing and Large-Scale Data Management for Science and Engineering

The term "Grid" refers to distributed, high performance computing and data handling infrastructure that incorporates geographically and organizationally dispersed, heterogeneous resources that are persistent and supported. The vision for NASN's Information Power Grid - a computing and data Grid - is that it will provide significant new capabilities to scientists and engineers by facilitating routine construction of information based problem solving environments / frameworks that will knit together widely distributed computing, data, instrument, and human resources into just-in-time systems that can address complex and large-scale computing and data analysis problems. IPG development and deployment is addressing requirements obtained by analyzing a number of different application areas, in particular from the NASA Aero-Space Technology Enterprise. This analysis has focussed primarily on two types of users: The scientist / design engineer whose primary interest is problem solving (e.g., determining wing aerodynamic characteristics in many different operating environments), and whose primary interface to IPG will be through various sorts of problem solving frameworks. The second type of user if the tool designer: The computational scientists who convert physics and mathematics into code that can simulate the physical world. These are the two primary users of IPG, and they have rather different requirements. This paper describes the current state of IPG (the operational testbed), the set of capabilities being put into place for the operational prototype IPG, as well as some of the longer term R&D tasks.

Johnston, William E.↗

VeloxChem: A Python-driven density-functional theory program for spectroscopy simulations in high-performance computing environments

An open-source program named VeloxChem has been developed for the calculation of electronic real and complex linear response functions at the levels of Hartree–Fock and Kohn–Sham density functional theories. With an object-oriented program structure written in a Python/C++ layered fashion, VeloxChem enables time-efficient prototyping of novel scientific approaches without sacrificing computational efficiency, so that molecular systems involving up to and beyond 500 second-row atoms (or some 10,000 contracted and in part diffuse Gaussian basis functions) can be routinely addressed. In addition, VeloxChem is equipped with a polarizable embedding scheme for the treatment of the classical electrostatic interactions with an environment that in turn is modeled by atomic site charges and polarizabilities. The underlying hybrid message passing interface (MPI)/open multiprocessing (OpenMP) parallelization scheme makes VeloxChem suitable for execution in high-performance computing cluster environments, showing even slightly beyond linear scaling for the Fock matrix construction with use of up to 16,384 central processing unit (CPU) cores. An efficient—with respect to convergence rate and overall computational cost—multifrequency/gradient complex linear response equation solver enables calculations not only of conventional spectra, such as visible/ultraviolet/X-ray electronic absorption and circular dichroism spectra, but also time-resolved linear response signals as due to ultra-short weak laser pulses.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A High Performance Computing Approach to Tree Cover Delineation in 1-m NAIP Imagery Using a Probabilistic Learning Framework

Tree cover delineation is a useful instrument in deriving Above Ground Biomass (AGB) density estimates from Very High Resolution (VHR) airborne imagery data. Numerous algorithms have been designed to address this problem, but most of them do not scale to these datasets, which are of the order of terabytes. In this paper, we present a semi-automated probabilistic framework for the segmentation and classification of 1-m National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) for tree-cover delineation for the whole of Continental United States, using a High Performance Computing Architecture. Classification is performed using a multi-layer Feedforward Backpropagation Neural Network and segmentation is performed using a Statistical Region Merging algorithm. The results from the classification and segmentation algorithms are then consolidated into a structured prediction framework using a discriminative undirected probabilistic graphical model based on Conditional Random Field, which helps in capturing the higher order contextual dependencies between neighboring pixels. Once the final probability maps are generated, the framework is updated and re-trained by relabeling misclassified image patches. This leads to a significant improvement in the true positive rates and reduction in false positive rates. The tree cover maps were generated for the whole state of California, spanning a total of 11,095 NAIP tiles covering a total geographical area of 163,696 sq. miles. The framework produced true positive rates of around 88% for fragmented forests and 74% for urban tree cover areas, with false positive rates lower than 2% for both landscapes. Comparative studies with the National Land Cover Data (NLCD) algorithm and the LiDAR canopy height model (CHM) showed the effectiveness of our framework for generating accurate high-resolution tree-cover maps.

Segments↗

SpotSDC: Revealing the Silent Data Corruption Propagation in High-Performance Computing Systems

We report the trend of rapid technology scaling is expected to make the hardware of high-performance computing (HPC) systems more susceptible to computational errors due to random bit flips. Some bit flips may cause a program to crash or have a minimal effect on the output, but others may lead to silent data corruption (SDC), i.e., undetected yet significant output errors. Classical fault injection analysis methods employ uniform sampling of random bit flips during program execution to derive a statistical resiliency profile. However, summarizing such fault injection result with sufficient detail is difficult, and understanding the behavior of the fault-corrupted program is still a challenge. In this article, we introduce SpotSDC, a visualization system to facilitate the analysis of a program's resilience to SDC. SpotSDC provides multiple perspectives at various levels of detail of the impact on the output relative to where in the source code the flipped bit occurs, which bit is flipped, and when during the execution it happens. SpotSDC also enables users to study the code protection and provide new insights to understand the behavior of a fault-injected program. Based on lessons learned, we demonstrate how what we found can improve the fault injection campaign method.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Towards elastic in situ analysis for high-performance computing simulations

In situ analysis and visualization have grown increasingly popular for enabling direct access to data from high-performance computing (HPC) simulations. As a simulation progresses and interesting physical phenomena emerge, however, the data produced may become increasingly complex, and users may need to dynamically change the type and scale of in situ analysis tasks being carried out and consequently adapt the amount of resources allocated to such tasks. To date, none of the production in situ analysis frameworks offer such an elasticity feature, and for good reason: the assumption that the number of processes could vary during run time would force developers to rethink software and algorithms at every level of the in situ analysis stack. In this paper we present Colza, a data staging service with elastic in situ visualization capabilities. We demonstrate the use of Colza with the Deep Water Impact and the AMR-Wind simulations, coupling them with the ParaView Catalyst and Ascent in situ libraries, and show that Colza enables dynamic rescaling of these widely-used frameworks with no interruption to the simulation or staging service. Here, we highlight the challenges of enabling such elasticity, which requires overcoming these frameworks' reliance on MPI, using distinct engineering approaches, namely dependency injection and dependency overload. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first to enable elastic in situ visualization capabilities for HPC applications on top of existing production analysis tools.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Measurement-based performance evaluation technique for high-performance computers

A measurement-based performance evaluation technique has been used to characterize the OS performance of Cedar, a hierarchical shared-memory multiprocessor system. Thirteen OS performance meters were used to capture the operating system activities for compute-bound workloads. Three representative applications from the Perfect Benchmark Suite were used to measure the OS performance in a dedicated system and in multiprogrammed workloads. It was found that 13-23 percent of the total execution time on a dedicated system was spent in executing OS-related activities. Under multiprogramming, 12-14 percent of the total execution time was used by the OS. The impact of multiprogramming on the operating system performance meters was also measured.

Sharma, S.↗

SCinet Architecture: Featured at the International Conference for High Performance Computing,Networking, Storage and Analysis 2016

SCinet is the purpose-built network that operates during the International Conference for High Performance Computing,Networking, Storage and Analysis (Super Computing or SC). Created each year for the conference, SCinet brings to life a high-capacity network that supports applications and experiments that are a hallmark of the SC conference. The network links the convention center to research and commercial networks around the world. This resource serves as a platform for exhibitors to demonstrate the advanced computing resources of their home institutions and elsewhere by supporting a wide variety of applications. Volunteers from academia, government and industry work together to design and deliver the SCinet infrastructure. Industry vendors and carriers donate millions of dollars in equipment and services needed to build and support the local and wide area networks. Planning begins more than a year in advance of each SC conference and culminates in a high intensity installation in the days leading up to the conference. The SCinet architecture for SC16 illustrates a dramatic increase in participation from the vendor community, particularly those that focus on network equipment. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Data Center Networking (DCN) are present in nearly all aspects of the design.

Lyonnais, Marc↗

Two MCNP Models for Computational Performance Benchmarking

The purpose of this report is to describe two non-trivial MCNP models and execution configurations that are suitable to characterizing computational performance. To that end, this report uses a constructive solid geometry (CSG) representation of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Pool Critical Assembly (PCA) [1–3] to perform a k-eigenvalue calculation and an unstructured mesh (UM) representation of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) publication 145 (ICRP145) male human phantom [4, 5] to perform a fixed-source calculation assuming that a 1 MeV photon source is distributed throughout the phantom’s liver.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Adoption of High Performance Computational (HPC) Modeling Software for Widespread Use in the Manufacture of Welded Structures

This report summarizes the final product developed for the US DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant made to Engineering Mechanics Corporation of Columbus (Emc 2 ) between April 16, 2014 and August 31, 2016 titled ‘Adoption of High Performance Computational (HPC) Modeling Software for Widespread Use in the Manufacture of Welded Structures’. Many US companies have moved fabrication and production facilities off shore because of cheaper labor costs. A key aspect in bringing these jobs back to the US is the use of technology to render US-made fabrications more cost-efficient overall with higher quality. One significant advantage that has emerged in the US over the last two decades is the use of virtual design for fabrication of small and large structures in weld fabrication industries. Industries that use virtual design and analysis tools have reduced material part size, developed environmentally-friendly fabrication processes, improved product quality and performance, and reduced manufacturing costs. Indeed, Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), one of the partners in this effort, continues to have a large fabrication presence in the US because of the use of weld fabrication modeling to optimize fabrications by controlling weld residual stresses and distortions and improving fatigue, corrosion, and fracture performance. This report describes Emc 2 ’s DOE SBIR Phase II final results to extend an existing, state-of-the-art software code, Virtual Fabrication Technology (VFT®), currently used to design and model large welded structures prior to fabrication - to a broader range of products with widespread applications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). VFT® helps control distortion, can minimize and/or control residual stresses, control welding microstructure, and pre-determine welding parameters such as weld-sequencing, pre-bending, thermal-tensioning, etc. VFT® uses material properties, consumable properties, etc. as inputs. Through VFT®, manufacturing companies can avoid costly design changes after fabrication. This leads to the concept of joint design/fabrication where these important disciplines are intimately linked to minimize fabrication costs. Finally service performance (such as fatigue, corrosion, and fracture/damage) can be improved using this product. Emc 2 ’s DOE SBIR Phase II effort successfully adapted VFT® to perform efficiently in an HPC environment independent of commercial software on a platform to permit easy and cost effective access to the code. This provides the key for SMEs to access this sophisticated and proven methodology that is quick, accurate, cost effective and available “on-demand” to address weld-simulation and fabrication problems prior to manufacture. In addition, other organizations, such as Government agencies and large companies, may have a need for spot use of such a tool. The open source code, WARP3D, a high performance finite element code used in fracture and damage assessment of structures, was significantly modified so computational weld problems can be solved efficiently on multiple processors and threads with VFT®. The thermal solver for VFT®, based on a series of closed form solution approximations, was extensively enhanced for solution on multiple processors greatly increasing overall speed. In addition, the graphical user interface (GUI) was re-written to permit SMEs access to an HPC environment at the Ohio Super Computer Center (OSC) to integrate these solutions with WARP3D. The GUI is used to define all weld pass descriptions, number of passes, material properties, consumable properties, weld speed, etc. for the structure to be modeled. The GUI was enhanced to make it more user-friendly so that non-experts can perform weld modeling. Finally, an extensive outreach program to market this capability to fabrication companies was performed. This access will permit SMEs to perform weld modeling to improve their competitiveness at a reasonable cost.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

An Advanced Meso-Scale Peridynamic Modeling Technology using High-Performance Computing for Cost-Effective Product Design and Testing of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites in Light-weight Vehicles

We study a peridynamic composite modeling technology based on the discontinuous Galerkin finite element method, implemented in the commercial LS-DYNA software, for modeling and prediction of failure in carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites. The proposed technology is developed for the material failure analysis at the meso-scale, which provides the prevailing fiber-matrix interaction mechanism, without adoption of the representative volume element method and thus avoiding complicated numerical calibration procedures. Three types of experimental tests—in-plane coupon test, out-of-plane coupon test, and a component crash test—are simulated in a high-performance computing environment to assess the performance of the proposed peridynamic composite modeling technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Performance Analysis of an Optimization Algorithm for Metamaterial Design on the Integrated High-Performance Computing and Quantum Systems

Optimizing metamaterials with complex geometries is a big challenge. Although an active learning algorithm, combining machine learning (ML), quantum computing, and optical simulation, has emerged as an efficient optimization tool, it still faces difficulties in optimizing complex structures that have potentially high performance. In this work, we comprehensively analyze the performance of an optimization algorithm for metamaterial design on the integrated HPC and quantum systems. We demonstrate significant time advantages through message-passing interface (MPI) parallelization on the high-performance computing (HPC) system showing approximately 54% faster ML tasks and 67 times faster optical simulation against serial workloads. Furthermore, we analyze the performance of a quantum algorithm designed for optimization, which runs with various quantum simulators on a local computer or HPC-quantum system. Results showcase ~24 times speedup when executing the optimization algorithm on the HPC-quantum hybrid system. This study paves a way to optimize complex metamaterials using the integrated HPC-quantum system.

Kim, Seongmin↗