theARCHITECTURE of theHIVE

theHIVE consists of:

• 64 compute nodes (b0-b63)
• 2 host nodes (Q0 and D0)
• 128 - Pentium Pro processors (200Mhz, 256K cache)
• 4 Gbyte of RAM (64 MB per node)
• 160 Gbyte Disk (2.5 GB per node)
• 5 100Mhz Full-duplex Fast ethernet switches (C0-C4)
• 6.4 Gbit/sec maximum inter-processor bandwidth
• 1600 Mbit/sec within a switch
• 400 Mbits/sec between switches

theCOST of theHIVE: approximately $210,000.00 (May, 1997)

theHistory of theHIVE: (these are approximate dates)

• March 1, 1997 - Planning began.
• April 1, 1997 - Procurement began
• May 31, 1997 - Procurement complete
• June 31, 1997 - Majority of parts received.
• July 1, 1997 - Assembly began
• July 22, 1997 - Chassis assembly complete (~ 6 man-weeks)
• July 23, 1997 - Software installation began
• August 7,1997 - Cabinet assembly and chassis installation began.
• August 15, 1997 - Assembly complete ( ~ 2 additional man-weeks)
• August 31, 1997 - Software installation complete.

thePARTSLIST

thePOWER ( < 9 KVA )

We have not measured the power consumption of theHIVE. But we know that 22 chassis blow a 20 amp breaker and 12 chassis do not blow even a 15 amp breaker. theHIVE has a 15 amp power strip per rack. Therefore theHIVE probably consumes some what less than 90 amps at 110 volts AC or 9 KVA.

theCOOLING

theHIVE actually got its name from the large number of fans it contains to keep it cool. theHIVE contains 262 fans, one per CPU, 2 per chassis, and 1 per rack. theHIVE sits on openings in a raised floor under which the air conditioning system pumps cool air. The large fans on top of the racks pull the cool air from under the floor, through the racks, and out into the computer room. Though the air exiting a chassis is noticeably above ambient it does't seem to be unreasonably so. The aggregate of all the chassis does produce a lot of hot air. When they were setup as the seven leaning towers of PCs, as you approached it you could feel a noticeable increase in temperature once you got with in 5 feet of it.