Software matches processing needs with available resources.
Press Release Summary:
LoadLeveler® for AIX® 5L schedules applications to clusters of IBM pSeries® servers and/or nodes. Job management program supports load balancing for interactive Parallel Operating Environment sessions. Software is supported on pSeries High Performance Switch, runs on AIX 5L for POWER v5.2 OS, and offers support for multi-adapter connection and dynamic configuration of adapters in Reliable Scalable Cluster Technology peer domain.
Original Press Release:
IBM LoadLeveler V3.2 Advances with Support on AIX V5.2 and the New IBM eserver pSeries High Performance Switch
At a glance
LoadLeveler for AIX 5L is a job management program, which allows users to run more jobs in less time by matching processing needs with the available resources.
New in this release, LoadLeveler V3.2:
o Runs with the latest AIX 5L for POWER V5.2
o Supports the new IBM pSeries High Performance Switch (HPS)
o Provides additional security for authentication
o Allows clusters managed by IBM Cluster Systems Management (CSM).
For ordering, contact:
Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or the Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: RE001).
Overview
LoadLeveler® for AIX® 5L schedules applications to clusters of IBM pSeries® servers and/or nodes. LoadLeveler supports load balancing for interactive Parallel Operating Environment sessions, and focuses on parallel job scheduling and scalability.
This new release of LoadLeveler for AIX 5L:
o Supported on the new pSeries High Performance Switch (HPS). The pSeries HPS provides significantly greater communication bandwidth along with reduced latency and improved fault tolerance.
o Runs on the latest AIX 5L for POWER V5.2 operating system.
o Adds cluster security services, which allows identity authentication of LoadLeveler daemons and users. These identities are then used to determine authorizations.
o Supports multi-adapter connection support. This means you can use multiple adapters for job processing, and allocate separate memory support for each.
o Supports dynamic configuration of adapters in a Reliable Scalable Cluster Technology (RSCT) peer domain.
o Allows the use of multiple IBM technologies by coexisting in clusters that are managed by IBM Cluster Systems Management (CSM).
o This new release of LoadLeveler for AIX 5L is not supported on AIX 5L V5.1.
Key prerequisites
AIX 5L for POWER V5.2
Planned availability dates
October 31, 2003, for LoadLeveler V3.2
December 19, 2003, running with Parallel System Support Programs (PSSP) V3.5
Description
V3.2 is available for LoadLeveler for AIX 5L. This new release runs with AIX V5.2 only.
New switch support
LoadLeveler V3.2 supports the new pSeries High Performance Switch (HPS). This switch provides greater communication bandwidth along with reduced latency and improved fault tolerance.
Cluster security
LoadLeveler now includes an additional security mechanism. AIX cluster security services, a component of RSCT, allows for identity authentication of LoadLeveler daemons and users. These identities are then used to determine authorization. This prevents unauthorized users and programs from misusing resources or disrupting services. Cluster security services is similar to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) but tailored for a clustered environment.
Multi-adapter connections
Support is provided for multi-adapter connections. You can now use multiple adapters for job processing and allocate separate memory support for each adapter. You also request multiple windows per task per protocol and have the adapters automatically share the workload for the number of requested windows.
Dynamic adapter configuration
LoadLeveler V3.2 offers the option to dynamically detect and handle adapters and adapter changes for machines in the cluster which are in RSCT peer domains.
Large system enhancements
Improved switch management allows LoadLeveler to automatically resume a startd which was drained due to switch table errors.
An option is added to queue interactive jobs when resources are not immediately available.
Job class information is available through the Data Access API.
Options change the job class and account number and options to extend the wall clock limits on your jobs via an llmodify command are added.
Note: Support for checkpoint/restart and gang scheduling is not available with V3.2 at this time. Refer to the Statement of direction in this announcement for planned availability. If this function is important to your configuration needs, you should remain with LoadLeveler V3.1.
LoadLeveler supports a job_type, PVM3, for submitting (Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) public domain software distributed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory) parallel jobs. This is the last release that provides this function.
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Product positioning
LoadLeveler is ideal for users who need to submit jobs as necessary, not according to any preset schedule. Other job schedulers provide a rule-based batch workload management for interjob dependencies. Scheduling jobs at predetermined schedules can be integrated with LoadLeveler function.
LoadLeveler supports load balancing for interactive Parallel Operating Environment sessions and focuses on parallel job scheduling and scalability.
Statement of direction
IBM plans to provide support for checkpoint/restart and gang scheduling preemption with LoadLeveler V3.2 in third quarter 2004. This function, which is available with LoadLeveler V3.1, is not supported in V3.2 at this time.
Reference information
For SOD describing support with PSSP, refer to Software Announcement 203-118 , dated May 6, 2003, and Hardware Announcement 103-285 , dated October 14, 2003, for details on the HPS.
Trademarks
The e-business logo, AIX, LoadLeveler, and pSeries are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.
