Minutes of the ITC-Research Computing Group Meeting
June 30, 1998 at 4:00 pm in Forestry 117

Members: Chris, Dawn, Dee, Ed, Hamp, Jacques, Jim J., Mark S., Ross, Sue Ellen, Tim S., Tim T., Tom S.,
Conveners:Tim T. and Dee
In Attendance: Chris, Dawn, Dee, Ed, Hamp, Jacques, Jim J., and Tom S
Recorders: Dee I.
This webpage by Dawn (mostly) and Tim T.
Next Meeting: July 28 at 4pm in Forestry 117. *This meeting was cancelled*

To Dos & Old Business: 

Numbers in parenthesis match the numbers on the To-Do Table
of April 28, 1998 that we reviewed at this meeting. 
 

(1) Plans for unix cluster and Home Directory Project

    There was an extensive discussion on the "purpose" of the solaris cluster.
    The general consensus was that it would not be a commodity cluster (specifically
    umenu would not be installed on the cluster) - but rather more a computing engine
    cluster. Using the new cluster as a computing engine would allow the Small Lab
    machines to be used as originally intended (as workstations - when the solaris
    cluster is up and running may install police on the unixlab machines).
    Jim J reminded the group that the funding for the new cluster  restricted our
    options somewhat (we can't stray too far from the original intent).
    A final decision on the cluster's purpose will be made at another time. 

    There was also a discussion on the desirability for a mechanism to automagically
    mount applications (such as SAS or LISREL) and the /archive on newly created cluster nodes.
    Some apps - such as LISREL and PRELIS have to be rebuilt when exported to newly
    created nodes. 

    Also desirable - a general announcement to the UVa community - and 
    particularly the research community - when new nodes are added.
    
(2) Archive (hardware and software)
    The new archive system is mounted on holmes (and several other machines).
    Need to start testing the new archive - would like it to be ready for 
    use in the Fall semester.
    
(3) "Research News"
TODO>    Plans are to create a late summer "edition".

(4) Software Installations and Updates 
    (including GIS/ESRI and GCG) 
    Still working on the GCG migration. Will migrate the rest of the users
    off of Avery (in Oct) during next license renewal.
    ESRI-Wally is trying to contact various ESRI users throughout state to
    form a panel to meet during the September GIS meeting. This panel 
    will discuss the feasibility and implementation of a state wide license.
 
(5) NPACI
    Legion still has a few bugs

(6) SP
    No discussion.

(7) ITC Research Advisory Committee
    No discussion.

(9) Department Outreach
    No discussion.

(10) Y2K Issues
     No discussion.

(11) Process simplification
     No discussion

(12) Non-IBM Research Computing Engines (see 1)
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