Questions you should be
asking
Philip Papadopoulos
CCGSC’06
Flat Rock, NC
Sept 11, 2006
User Question #1
Where the f&^&^*k is my data? How long
will it take to read 10TBs into the system?
And why can’t I get to it from my
laptop/department/web server?
 Corollary – why can’t I get any performance
using plain old “read/write/open/close”
User Question #2
 What tools are available to a) track what I’ve
done to build a workflow and b) have you look at
the resource usage of my application ? How
much time do I need to spend learning tool
“frabble”?
 Put a computer in front of lab-coat scientist and all
semblance of reproducibility (aka scientific method)
goes away
 “I linked the application to Susie’s directory 4 months ago”
 “I don’t know how this thing was built, Bob left the lab 2
years ago”
 “I have no idea how much memory/disk/CPU my
application takes. Quit asking me.”
User Question #3
 How long does it take to put my
Environment on your Grid/Cluster?
 It is too complicated for resources to provide all
combinations of compilers/libraries/tools in oneinstalled system (See Teragrid Softenv Key
Management)
 It is much harder for users to port their
application to an environment than to “bring
their luggage with me”
What you should really ask before buying
your grid/cluster
1. Does it come with an AUX
interface for my iPod?
2. Can you get me a guest spot on
the Discovery Channel’s newest
show: “My Monster Cluster?”
3. Does your cluster product have
any liquids, gels or gel-like
substances?
Grid Security
Administration