2 Apr
2013
2 Apr
'13
3:34 p.m.
>> Built, used for four years, and now
DISMANTLED?
>> What is wrong with their fundamental architecture?
>> Can't they design one where more could be added to keep up with needs, and
>> upgrade incrementally and components while keeping the overall machine?
?As time goes on the density of the processors goes up but its not just the CPU's. Its
what goes on behind the processors such as SGI's MIPS supercomputers of a few years
ago. They used a distributed shared memory that required circuitry that connected
processors, local memory, a network interface, and the
I/O. These systems can be difficult to add onto brick wise and the only way to increase
speed is to add racks which adds power consumption.
Some of the technologies like Infiniband does have an upgrade path where older network
technologies like HIPPI were not.
Some of the Crays are field upgradable to new processor blades.
Like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehCgG9yZQmg