NAG Parallel Library, Release 3

FDIB303DML

IBM RS/6000 Power3

Users' Note



Contents

1. Introduction

This document is essential reading for every user of the NAG Parallel Library implementation specified in the title. It provides implementation-specific detail that augments the information provided in the NAG Parallel Library Manual.

NAG recommends that users read the following minimum reference material before calling any library routine:

(a) Essential Introduction
(b) Chapter Introduction
(c) Routine Document
(d) Implementation-specific Users' Note

Items (a), (b) and (c) are included in the NAG Parallel Library Manual, which should be available locally in printed and PDF form (see Section 4); item (d) is this document, which is provided in HTML form.

2. General Information

2.1. MPI

Parallel programs using the NAG Parallel Library require the IBM Parallel Operating Environment implementation of MPI to be installed. A crucial component of MPI is the poe command, which is used to run parallel programs.

2.2. Accessing the Library

Assuming that a link to libnagmpi.a has been placed in a directory in the search path of the linker, then you may link to the NAG Parallel Library as follows:

mpxlf driver.f -lnagmpi
where driver.f is your application program.

After the application is developed it may be linked with the IBM Parallel ESSL (if available). Some ScaLAPACK routines in the NAG Parallel Library may appear to 'hang' when linked with PESSL. To avoid this the environment variable PESSL_ERROR_SYNC must be set to 'no' when the application is run. IBM advise that PESSL_ERROR_SYNC should be set to 'no' only when the application is debugged. To link with the NAG Parallel Library and PESSL use:

mpxlf driver.f -lessl -lpessl -lblacs -lnagmpipessl

2.3. Running NAG Parallel Library Programs

The poe command may be used to run a user program (say a.out) linked with the NAG Parallel Library on multiple nodes. For example assuming POE can locate a host.list file nominating the nodes where the processes are to run
poe a.out -procs 4
instructs the system to execute the executable program a.out in four parallel processes. Consult local documentation for full details of the facilities of poe or alternatives to it.

2.4. Example Programs

The example programs and data and the results obtained during the preparation of this specific implementation are supplied so you can try them yourself, or use one as a template for your own program. Note that the example material has been adapted, if necessary, from that printed in the NAG Parallel Library Manual, so that programs are suitable for execution with this implementation.

The example programs are most easily accessed by using the script nagmpiexample, which will copy an example program and its data, compile it, link it with the libraries and run it.

For example, give the command

nagmpiexample f04ebfp
to run the F04EBFP example program. Almost all the example programs have 4 processes. nagmpiexample uses poe to run all these processes on the hosts specified in the file ./host.list

2.5. User Documentation

The following machine-readable information file is provided in the doc directory:

See Section 4 for additional documentation.

3. Routine-specific Information

(a) X02

The constants referred to in the NAG Parallel Library Manual have the following values in this implementation:

The values of the machine constants are:

The basic parameters of the model

X02BHF = 2
X02BJF = 53
X02BKF = -1021
X02BLF = 1024
X02DJF = .TRUE.
Derived parameters of the floating-point arithmetic
X02AJF = 1.11022302462516D-16
X02AKF = 2.22507385850721D-308
X02ALF = 1.79769313486231D+308
X02AMF = 2.22507385850721D-308
X02ANF = 2.22507385850721D-308
Parameters of other aspects of the computing environment
X02AHF = 8.11296384146067D+31
X02BBF = 2147483647
X02BEF = 15
X02DAF = .FALSE.

4. Documentation

Each NAG Parallel Library site is ordinarily provided with a printed copy of the NAG Parallel Library Manual (or Update). If you require additional copies then please contact NAG.

On-line documentation is also provided, in PDF form, with this implementation. Please refer to local information for access to this documentation.

5. Support from NAG

(a) Contact with NAG

Queries concerning this document or the implementation generally should be directed initially to your local Advisory Service. If you have difficulty in making contact locally, you can contact NAG directly at one of the addresses given in the Appendix.

(b) NAG Response Centres

The NAG Response Centres are available for general enquiries from all users and also for technical queries from sites with an annually licensed product or support service.

The Response Centres are open during office hours, but contact is possible by fax, email and phone (answering machine) at all times.

When contacting a Response Centre please quote your NAG site reference and NAG product code (in this case FDIB303DM).

(c) NAG Websites

The NAG websites are an information service providing items of interest to users and prospective users of NAG products and services. The information is reviewed and updated regularly and includes implementation availability, descriptions of products, downloadable software, product documentation and technical reports. The NAG websites can be accessed at

http://www.nag.co.uk/

or

http://www.nag.com/ (in North America)

or

http://www.nag-j.co.jp/ (in Japan)

(d) NAG Electronic Newsletter

If you would like to be kept up to date with news from NAG you may want to register to receive our electronic newsletter, which will alert you to special offers, announcements about new products or product/service enhancements, case studies and NAG's event diary. To register visit the NAG Ltd website or contact us at nagnews@nag.co.uk.

6. User Feedback

Many factors influence the way NAG's products and services evolve and your ideas are invaluable in helping us to ensure that we meet your needs. If you would like to contribute to this process we would be delighted to receive your comments. We have provided a short survey on our website at www.nag.co.uk/local/feedback to enable you to provide this feedback. Alternatively feel free to contact the appropriate NAG Response Centre who will be happy either to record your comments or to send you a printed copy of the survey.

Appendix - Contact Addresses

NAG Ltd
Wilkinson House
Jordan Hill Road
OXFORD  OX2 8DR                         NAG Ltd Response Centre
United Kingdom                          email: infodesk@nag.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)1865 511245                 Tel: +44 (0)1865 311744
Fax: +44 (0)1865 310139                 Fax: +44 (0)1865 310139

NAG Inc
1431 Opus Place, Suite 220
Downers Grove
IL 60515-1362                           NAG Inc Response Center
USA                                     email: infodesk@nag.com

Tel: +1 630 971 2337                    Tel: +1 630 971 2345
Fax: +1 630 971 2706                    Fax: +1 630 971 2706

Nihon NAG KK
Yaesu Nagaoka Building No. 6
1-9-8 Minato
Chuo-ku
Tokyo
Japan
email: help@nag-j.co.jp

Tel: +81 (0)3 5542 6311
Fax: +81 (0)3 5542 6312