grid computing

From: Jill Fiedler-Kelly Jill.Fiedler-Kelly@cognigencorp.com Subject: [NMusers] grid computing Date: 10/22/2003 1:23 PM Paul, Pete, and others, Grid computing is an ideal solution for running NONMEM on lots of systems. We at Cognigen have been using Grid computing for NONMEM for almost 2 years now. As Bill mentioned in his response, we also implemented grid computing to optimize use of our existing computer infrastructure. When you run NONMEM on your desktop PC, regardless of how fast it is, not only are you limited by the number of jobs you can run, but you are also tying up your computer while it is processing those jobs. When we utilize either of our internal grids, scientists can submit hundreds of jobs simultaneously (bootstrapping) and still utilize their workstation for other tasks. Cognigen is currently utilizing three types of grids for NONMEM. One is SUN-based using SUN's SPARC processors; the second is Intel-based running Linux; and the third is for clients which has a web front end for remote access via the Internet. We initially used SUN Grid Engine for the grid platform, but have since moved over to GridEngine, which is the opensource product that Sun Grid Engine is based on. Also, Sun Grid Engine/GridEngine only runs on a Unix host. It does not run on Windows PCs, but the opensource product does allow for job submission from a Windows PC. Jill ______________________________________ Jill Fiedler-Kelly Cognigen Corporation 395 Youngs Road Buffalo, NY 14221 (v) 716.633.3463, ext. 228 (f) 716.633.7404 (e) Jill.Fiedler-Kelly@cognigencorp.com http://www.cognigencorp.com/