Harold is writing a grant requiring results which require GPU processors. Goal: Get Yi He access to a GPU-provisioned machine so he can get results to Harold ASAP.
Need expressed to ChemIT 4/10/13. Compounding factor: Yi He's (old, basic, Linux-based) work computer died on 4/10/13.

Plan

As of morning of 4/11/13: Per Harold, to Oliver: "A whole new ball game." They will get in touch with us with their needs.

Prior plan, as of end of day 4/10/13:

Use an existing GPU system in ChemIT's server farm

If left in ChemIT's server farm, this GPU system can be better managed by ChemIT staff, and the noise and heat from it won't bother anyone.

Yi He will connect to it remotely from his own computer via SSH (with X-Windows?).

A new hard drive will need to be purchased to allow the existing hard drive to be removed (~$100). Hard drive size will need to be confirmed by Yi He.

Get Yi He a baseline computer for his work space

Work with Lulu to put a contemporary desktop Linux OS on it to meet Yi He's needs.

Spec a new computer. Prefer it comes with an nVidia card instead of an the default brand. (Doable? If so, cost/ trade-offs?)

Once basic desktop approved (~$500), ChemIT can loan a stand-in system until the new one arrives. This will first have to be provisioned with Linux, by ChemIT working with Yi He. (n.b. Windows computers are faster to deploy, currently.)

Status

4/10/13

  • Oliver met with Yi He to consult on possiblities and come up with a plan
  • ChemIT staff believe we can accomplish this technically, per 4/10 discussion.

To do:

  • Create draft timelines for the various components:
    • Lulu with Yi He for GPU computer.
    • Michael and Yi He for baseline computer.
  • Determine nVidia low-power GPU cards possible for use with baseline computer. Identify tradeoffs (support, costs, etc).
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