X / CUDA on CentOS, multi-gpu servers

Tue Oct 15 18:18:44 EDT 2013

I fixed the xming install, but it only *kinda* works.  So I can use gedit remotely!  Hardly a sophisticated application...

But using putty/xming for the *big one* results in a genuine APPCRASH.  I do get a couple of windows painted, but then xming crashes, which crashes the application.  My limited google-fu shows that xming and crash results in a few hits ;)

I have a XWin32 running on one laptop - it works for the *big one*.  Not sure if the product is supported - I'll have to check into it.  Also I want it to run in 64 bit mode.  We plan some rather large simulations.

The SW vendor says/recommends xming.  I've contacted support, hopefully it is just some improper setup on my part.

I'm looking for something that is supported, or at least actively developed.  That would make both myself and our IT feel better.  We are close to the bleeding edge on many aspects - we need to reduce the risk in other areas, so that actual work can get done. :)

From: jabr at gapps.blu.org [mailto:jabr at gapps.blu.org] On Behalf Of John Abreau
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 5:54 PM
To: Bruce Labitt
Cc: Greater New Hampshire LUG
Subject: Re: X / CUDA on CentOS, multi-gpu servers

When I used to need X11 on a Windows machine, I found that Mocha X11 worked better than
the other alternatives that I tried. It worked great on Windows 2000, XP, and Windows 7.
It just sits in the system tray, and you configure PuTTY to make use of it.

I never used Vista, so I can't say from personal experience that Mocha works on Vista.
I've never used Windows 8, either, so the same disclaimer applies there, too.
Their website says it's "no longer supported", but I think it said that even when I was
using it successfully on Windows 7.
It's a free download.

http://www.mochasoft.dk/freeware/x11.htm

On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 4:35 PM, Bruce Labitt <Bruce.Labitt at autoliv.com<mailto:Bruce.Labitt at autoliv.com>> wrote:
Ben,

Thanks for the tutorial.

This cluster is for computation.  There are 9 Kepler GPUs in three server chasses.  They are interconnected via IB, as well as lowly Ethernet.  I have remoted into the server with a linux workstation and had no trouble having reasonable application response in the display.  Cheesy laptops with built in Intel "HD" graphics are, umm, not suitable for this kind of work.  We, and all of IT knows this.   $WORK$ is a windows shop, so I need a way to do this not just with my local Ubuntu workstation, but with computers that our users have (or will have).

On Win7, I'm having issues with XMing / PuTTY.  Putty is fine.  My xming is borked.  So I guess things are under control ;)   Uninstalling failed.  I'm trying to get some local help with that.

I have had success with XWin32 on my laptop.    But I'd like to get XMing set up on other machines so that others can have access to the cluster and its GPU goodness.

Sorry for the noise on the list -- for that I apologize.

Not 10 minutes after the OP, well..., I got my linux box to remotely run the server application.  Embarrassed.

But I have yet to get xming to work right yet.  Anyone have an XServer for windows that is idiot proof?  :P

-Bruce

-----Original Message-----
From: gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org<mailto:gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org> [mailto:gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org<mailto:gnhlug-discuss-bounces at mail.gnhlug.org>] On Behalf Of Ben Scott
Sent: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 12:53 PM
To: Greater New Hampshire LUG
Subject: Re: X / CUDA on CentOS, multi-gpu servers

On Mon, Oct 14, 2013 at 3:14 PM, Bruce Labitt <Bruce.Labitt at autoliv.com<mailto:Bruce.Labitt at autoliv.com>> wrote:
> ... issue getting X running on our multi-gpu server with CUDA. ...
> What would it take to get X and CUDA to play nice?  How much time?  Anyone available to do this?
> We want to remote in to the server and have the display directed to our local machines.

  General terminology: X display server = Thing that provides a graphics display device.  X client = program which uses a graphics display device.  Programs like Firefox and CAD are X clients.  On Linux these days, the X display server is most commonly provided by the X.org group, possibly aided by some software/drivers provided by the video card maker.  Do not fall into the trap of thinking an X display server musty run on a big computer in a closet everyone calls "the server".  Do not fall into the trap of thinking an X client must run on the small computer on your desk.

  For your scenario:

  For clarity of discussion, let's suppose your server's name is FRED.

  For the use case you describe, you do not need to run an X display server on the FRED at all.  The X client(s) will run on FRED, and the X display server will run on your workstation/terminal.  So for that use case, do not bother configuring or running an X display server on FRED; it's just a waste of resources.

  Be aware that GPU-accelerated graphics are generally only available on a local display.  This is true for all the common protocols (X, RDP, VNC).  GPU-accelerated non-display computation can still be done remotely, though.  This would be appropriate if a lot of heavy math (e.g., a complex simulation) needs to be done before anything can even be displayed in the first place.

-- Ben
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John Abreau / Executive Director, Boston Linux & Unix
Email jabr at blu.org<mailto:jabr at blu.org> / WWW http://www.abreau.net / 2013 PGP-Key-ID 0x920063C6
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