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general_questions [2021/05/03 19:44]
brandonm [Power Heat Noise] Case, punctuation, word, and phrasing fixes 		general_questions [2025/10/23 20:20] (current)
deadline [Hardware]
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 **What kind of processors do you use?**\\ **What kind of processors do you use?**\\
-Our current designs include Ryzen processors from AMD (Intel available upon request). For the nodes we use low-power 65-watt six/eight-core x86_64 processors. +Our current designs include Ryzen processors from AMD (Intel available upon request). For the nodes we use low-power 65-watt TDP six/eight-core x86_64 processors. In some cases we may set the power usage of the processor to fit in the 65W TDP envelope. A much deeper discussion of processor power draw can be found [[https://www.clustermonkey.net/Benchmarking-Methods/these-are-not-the-watts-you-are-looking-for.html| here]].
  
 **What kind of motherboards do you use?**\\ **What kind of motherboards do you use?**\\
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 **Can I attach a keyboard and monitor to the node motherboards?**\\ **Can I attach a keyboard and monitor to the node motherboards?**\\
-Yes, in some cases. There is a front panel that provides video, USB, and a power switch for each motherboard, however, AMD Ryzen nodes are "headless" and therefore will have not video output. Unless you want to debug node startup issues (something we do to make sure systems work for you) there is no need for node video during normal operation. +Yes, in some cases. There is a front panel that provides video, USB, and a power switch for each motherboard. Unless you want to debug node startup issues (something we do to make sure systems work for you) there is no need to access node video during normal operation. 
  
 **Why don't you pack a bunch of 20-core processors into the case?**\\ **Why don't you pack a bunch of 20-core processors into the case?**\\
-Limulus is designed with a desk-side heat/power/performance/noise envelope. The types of systems that use 20-core processors are designed to operate at the "Edge" or the cloud or data center. An HPC server can pack in many cores because in data centers there is dedicated power, cooling, and a tolerance for fan noise. Have you ever run an HPC server (or two) next to your desk? +Limulus is designed with a desk-side heat/power/performance/noise envelope. The types of systems that use 20+-core processors are designed to operate at the "Edge" or the cloud or data center. An HPC server can pack in many cores because in data centers there is dedicated power, cooling, and a tolerance for fan noise. Have you ever run an HPC server (or two) next to your desk? 
  
 **Why don't you pack a bunch of GPU processors into the case?**\\ **Why don't you pack a bunch of GPU processors into the case?**\\
-Using GPUs is a great solution if it fits your problem, but GPUs require more power, and more heat must be removed from the case. The Limulus DL (Deep Learning) systems employ GPUs.+Using GPUs is a great solution if it fits your problem, but GPUs require more power, and more heat must be removed from the case. To stay within the power envelope, a single GPU can be added to most Limulus systems.
  
 **Do you use dual socket motherboards?**\\ **Do you use dual socket motherboards?**\\
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 **How are the nodes connected?**\\ **How are the nodes connected?**\\
-Gigabit Ethernet (GbE). There is also a low-cost 10-GbE option (all internal switching). +At the base level, nodes are connected with 2.5-Gigabit Ethernet (GbE). There is also a low-cost 25-GbE option for all systems (all switching is internal "in the case"). 
  
 **Does each motherboard have a hard drive?**\\ **Does each motherboard have a hard drive?**\\
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 **Can I add expansion cards to the node motherboards?**\\ **Can I add expansion cards to the node motherboards?**\\
-Yes, there is an optional bracket for adding one low-profile PCIe card (usually 10GbE), depending on the model and motherboard.+Yes, there is an optional bracket for adding one low-profile PCIe card (usually 25GbE), depending on the model and motherboard.
  
 **Can I add expansion cards to the main motherboard?**\\ **Can I add expansion cards to the main motherboard?**\\
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 **Can I add video cards to the node motherboards?**\\ **Can I add video cards to the node motherboards?**\\
-We include a low-power video card and do not recommend using higher-powered cards (in addition, there may not be adequate  PCI slots available). +No, node motherboards relay on internal (iGPU) graphics. The main motherboard may use an additional GPU card as an option.
  
 **How big is the power supply?**\\ **How big is the power supply?**\\
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 **Does it have ECC memory?**\\ **Does it have ECC memory?**\\
-When using AMD Ryzen processors, the base Limulus models now support ECC (Error Correcting Memory).  We ship ECC memory with all AMD systems.+When using AMD Ryzen processors, the base Limulus models now support ECC (Error Correcting Memory). We ship ECC memory with all AMD systems.
  
-Depending on the Intel processor, ECC as a memory option may be available (contact us if you need to use Intel processors). Keep in mind, however, the requirement for ECC depends on your needs. In our experience, and in our testing, we have found excellent results with "quality" memory (not the bargain priced brands). We have never had a problem with non-ECC memory in our personal cluster systems. We have run self-checking codes for days without any issues.+Depending on the Intel processor, ECC as a memory option may be available (contact us if you need to use Intel processors). Keep in mind, however, the requirement for ECC depends on your needs. In our experience, and in our testing, we have found excellent results with "quality" memory (not the bargain priced brands). We have never had a problem with non-ECC memory in our personal cluster systems. We have run self-checking codes for weeks without any issues.
  
 **Can it use 10-GbE, 25-GbE, or IB?**\\ **Can it use 10-GbE, 25-GbE, or IB?**\\
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 **What software does it run?**\\ **What software does it run?**\\
-Linux of course. It comes installed with HPC cluster stack based on OpenHPC (you can use all OpenHPC packages).. All base packages are open source and built on top of CentOS 7.x. Other RPMS and SRPMS are freely available. All Limulus Hadoop systems use an open source Hadoop distribution.+Linux, of course. It comes installed with an HPC cluster stack based on OpenHPC (you can use all OpenHPC packages). All base packages are open source and built on top of CentOS 7.x. Other RPMs and SRPMs are freely available. All Limulus Hadoop systems use an open-source Hadoop distribution.
  
 **Will updated software be available?**\\ **Will updated software be available?**\\
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 **Is administrative  support available?**\\ **Is administrative  support available?**\\
-Yes, if we can remotely access the system(s) vis ssh and/or VPN. See our  +Yes, if we can remotely access the system(s) vis ssh and/or VPN. See our available 
-[[https://www.limulus-computing.com/products/limulus/software-support/product/p12-month-remote-limulus-system-adminstration|administrative support options]] are available. +[[https://www.limulus-computing.com/products/limulus/software-support/product/p12-month-remote-limulus-system-adminstration|administrative support options]]. 
  
 **Is it the same software that runs on big clusters?**\\ **Is it the same software that runs on big clusters?**\\
 Yes. Applications can be moved from/to other clusters with little or no effort.  Yes. Applications can be moved from/to other clusters with little or no effort. 
  
-**Will there be other open source application software available?**\\+**Will there be other open-source application software available?**\\
 Yes. Yes.
  
 **Can I install my own software?**\\ **Can I install my own software?**\\
-Yes, this is an open source platform, you control your destiny!+Yes, this is an open-source platform; you control your destiny!
  
 **Can I run commercial software?**\\ **Can I run commercial software?**\\
-If your software can run on a large Linux cluster, it can probably run on a Limulus system. Currently, we use CentOS 7.X, which is a community rebuild of Red Hat 7.X. Of course it all depends on the software as well as vendor policies.+If your software can run on a large Linux cluster, it can probably run on a Limulus system. Currently, we use CentOS 7.X, which is a community rebuild of Red Hat 7.X. Of course, it all depends on the software as well as vendor policies.
  
 **Can I run Windows on it?**\\ **Can I run Windows on it?**\\
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 **Does it come with hardware support?**\\ **Does it come with hardware support?**\\
-Yes. One year return-to-depot support is included.+Yes. One year of return-to-depot support is included.
 You must pay shipping to the depot.  You must pay shipping to the depot. 
  
 **Does it come with software support?**\\ **Does it come with software support?**\\
-Yes. Ninety days of software support is included.+Yes. Ninety days of software support are included.
 Extended [[https://www.limulus-computing.com/index.php/support/system-support|support options]] are available.  Extended [[https://www.limulus-computing.com/index.php/support/system-support|support options]] are available. 
  
  
  
general_questions.1620071085.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/05/03 19:44 by brandonm

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