I have a woody for this one!

[Toaster]

Hello folks!
I found a real gem on Ebay. A system similar to one iv'e worked with and configured for a university in Boston. This puppy is a calculative beast.
There isn't much out there that gives me that funny "wood" feeling...but this is one that does....weeee....!

This system is a computational power house that was decommisioned about 8 months ago from the Los Alamos labs. (aka:Manhatten project proving grounds)
While expensive, it boasts computational capabilities of the IBM and Cray "black forrest "combined".
The system is in 4 parts. 2 of these parts are identical.
These are:
(parts 1 and 2) multiply the following by 2.
Silicon Graphics Origin2000. 12x R10000 275mhz CPUs with 4MB of cache each.
4gb main memory, "Craylink", system disk is a 36gb U160 SCSI/SCA drive mounted as "system" and 5 36gb drives in a RAID1+0 with hot spare.
Onboard router option via "Giga-net" (500mb/sec).

With the above 2 systems in a rack config are:
SGI Deskside Onyx/2 with Infinite Reality/2 graphics option.
This graphics option includes 288mb of texture memory, 128mb of "screen buffer" memory, 6 raster engines and 24 "geometry" engines.
The graphics option is fully self managed with "gated" I/O on a 128bit bus.
The graphics option uses no host CPU time, all computational work is done locally.
System CPUs are 12 R12000 400mhz modules with 4MB L2 cache each.
System memory is 2GB expandable to 32GB.
"Craylink" enabled with cables.
System disk is a 36gb U160/320 as "system" and 5 of the above drives as a RAID 1+0 with hot spare.
System software is a UNIMOS hybrid (Unix based) which is included. (this software is controlled as it is "sensitve" in nature) The software alone is worth about $12,000 and supports upto 512 Processors accross any number of "Craylink" connected systems or locally or a combination of the above. The software gives FULL control over resource management/allocation.

System 4 is an SGI 320 visual worstation as an interface to the above as a workstation and configuration "manager". This mild system is a dual P3-800mhz system with "cobalt" graphics and 2GB system memory. Connected to the above via Giga-net. (this system is both stand alone and in conjunction with the above goodies)
System 5 is the most well endowed Octane-2 system Iv'e seen to date.
System CPUs are a dual R12000 at 500mhz, 2GB 4 way interleaved 64 bit memory path running at processor clock. Each CPU boasts 4MB of L2 cache each.
System Graphics option is via the V12 Nvidia based "quattro" on 64bit PCI and MXE graphics.

All the above includes interconnecting cables and "craylink" cables.
The "Craylink" is a system bus extension that runs at system clock speed.
Essentially a CPU bus extension that runs parrellel with each connected system.

The SGI 320/Octane-2 systems have the 1600sw flat panel display.
Total computational capacity of about .96TF. (estimated)
System connection speed via "Craylink" exceeds 1000mb/sec.

The price of this "God" of a computer?
A mere $210,000 "Delivered", "Configured" and with 100 hours of training on site. (100 hours is a bare minimum needed to "understand" the capabilities of this system)
System support is 1 year "next day" component replacement on site anywhere in the continental US.
Unlimited, dedicated, 24/7, 1-800 support for 1 year.
Additional training available at $225.00/hr. in blocks of 10 hours minimum..
The "operating system" (UNIMOS) is a "loaned" package which must be returned should the system be "parted" and is tightly controlled.
User must be "class-3" cleared to be considered for use.
(Class 1 is highest, class 7 is lowest)
Right of "inspection" must be granted on a "on demand, within 24 hour period".

There is more which would be too lengthly to list and the uses are unlimited.
System is rumored to have been in control of the largest particle accelorator at one time. System was decommisioned in favor of a "classified" array.
Full security check done prior to completion of purchase/delivery.
System was doing "molecular design/re-align computations as well as other duties.

I'll take 2!!! *smirk*


BTW, estimated cost per hour to simply provide power to this monster is about 22.00/hr @ $0.07 KW/hr. There are 2 systems with higher computational capability known available or "unclassified".
The original drives were "destroyed" for obvious reasons.


When you think of it, the price is not exceedingly high considering the capabilities and uses. Current technologies "suggest" a system exists with a computational capacity of 3.2TF+.
The auction is on a "pre-approved" basis only after submitting proper documentaion as to funding, clearances and "defined" usage discosure(s).
This system IS a "super computer" .

Weeee!
*gimmee*
*gimmee*

[WNeill]

Don't think I'll bother with this one. Think of the extra cost of having to buy a bigger desk to put it on.

[systempat]

Would it fit in my garage or would I have to build an extension on the house?

[Streams]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

[highrisemech]

I'll bet this box takes up a small room.
I saw similar IBM units in footage of recent allowed video
of government listening post. Although a lot of things in the room were covered.
Actually the government limits Computation power that is sold to foreign goverments. This measurment is in computations per second. In the past it was limited to below 18000 Computations per second but has recently been increased.
Toaster the price for this has to be quite expensive.

[Colonel Sanders]

Wait a second, what is the most CPUs per PC?

Is this a 5PC array deal?

What are you using this for?

Logan

[DrZaius]

Now it just needs to be overclocked, make sure you applied thermal grease and have ample cooling!

I wonder how many units that could pump out on SETI or G@H.

[Jason Padgett]

The heck with that...what I want to know is how many fps at max res do you get playing Counter-Strike on tha thing???

Originally posted by DrZaius I wonder how many units that could pump out on SETI or G@H.

[KR0316]

Do you get any free internet service for a year type of offer?

[dldz]

If not free maybe you could get Juno or netzero for $9.95 mo ?
I'd like to hear that call!

[Toaster]

Howdy folks,
If all this equipment were set side by side and all interconnected, the hardware would occupy the same amount of room as a mid size automobile.
I errored in the cost to use that its actually about 2.20/hr to use, not 22.00 but still expensive none the less.
A dedicated area is almost a must. An air-conditioned room is almost mandatory as the system thermal output is calculated at about 22,000 BTU/hr. This system alone could "heat" a typical home.
System CPU capacity is a theoretical 128 CPU/unit.
SGI supports 24 CPU/unit.
While this equipment is about 3-7 years old, its still VERY high end.
My Dual R12000/300mhz Octane performs a "seti" set in 22 minutes and you might imagine what the systems capability might be.
To that system, "seti" is childsplay that could run in the background as a "CPU excess time eater"
A calculative MONSTER to say the very least.
I configured a roughly similar system for University at Boston about a year ago and "it" was impressive. This system has roughly 1.5 times the calculative capacity of the system I set up.
To test and run in the Boston system "nicknamed the beast" (because it boasted 6 groups of 6 pairs of CPUs and 6 groups of 1GB of system memory) a terrain following (real-time) renderer of a 24min flight over Boston at 300 feet.
The actual flight was at 1000ft and the terrain following program can recalculate/zoom/pan for tree top level flight for 100mph-Mach2. This calculation can be configured for most any "non-classified" aircraft at flight levels from 25 feet to 25,000 feet and beyond in real time. (a map making tool of sorts)
A very intensive calculation. The seti program would be like adding 1+1 to this beast.
Seti does not have a client that supports this hardware enough to make the calculations "verifiable" according to seti. That was 3 mo. ago.
The Boston University has a T3 line connected for "off campus" work for "hire".
I suggest this system could pay for itself in under a year were it configured for hire. There are many who would sign on for "time". The current rates to "hire" such a system are as high as 500.00/calculation hour.
Averages are nearer the 300.00/calculation hour at 50% utilization. (running other calculations for hire)
Were the system set aside for "1" calculation/problem alone, this escalates to 1500.00 calculation hour. My uses would (not that I could afford this beast) be "for hire" if I could provide needed security.
fun stuff....