With the CRAY T3D massively parallel system from Cray Research, a new generation of massively parallel processor (MPP) is born - one that combines the highest levels of sustained performance with the system software and programming environments needed to provide a production-oriented environment.
The CRAY T3D system integrates industry-leading DEC Alpha microprocessors with supercomputer-class communication and synchronization hardware in a shared distributed memory, multiple instruction multiple data (MIMD) multiprocessor system. Memory is physically distributed among the microprocessors but is globally addressable (any microprocessor can address any memory location in the system). The CRAY T3D system also takes advantage of Cray Research's proven supercomputer packaging and cooling techniques. As a result of this innovative design, Cray Research is transforming hundreds or thousands of independent RISC processors into a supercomputer-class MPP system-one that can address tens of gigabytes of memory, minimize communication overhead, and provide excellent lightweight synchronization.
System software and programming models exploit this hardware capability to sustain high performance for user applications. UNICOS MAX, the CRAY T3D system's distributed operating system, is a sophisticated enhancement of Cray Research's UNICOS operating system. Each microprocessor on the CRAY T3D system run a minimal microkernel to handle frequently used functions, such as interprocessor communication and memory management. Higher level UNIX system calls are sent by way of a UNIX agent to be serviced by UNICOS running on the CRAY Y-MP or CRAY C90 host system. As a result, programs running on the CRAY T3D system access the same file systems, network protocols, and batch queuing as all other UNICOS applications. Application developers can choose from a powerful set of Fortran and C programming environments. Each environment includes and industry-leading optimizing compiler, advanced performance analysis tools, programming tools with industry standard visual interfaces, and high-performance scientific and I/O libraries.
To provide the highest levels of application performance, CRAY T3D systems are coupled closely to the parallel/vector/scalar architecture of the industry-leading CRAY Y-MP or CRAY C90 supercomputers. The Cray Research heterogeneous architecture provides maximum flexibility to meet the needs of individual user workloads. Customers can choose from a wide variety of system solutions with different mixes of parallel/vector and MPP computational capabilities - an offering unique to Cray Research.
The CRAY T3D MCA (multiple-cabinet, air-cooled) system offers CRAY Y-MP or CRAY C90 system customers all the benefits of the CRAY T3D architecture in a configuration that can be air or water-cooled and scales down to only 32 processing elements. Running on commonly available 50 or 60 Hz power without the need for a motor-generator set, the CRAY T3D MCA system can be installed anywhere in the world without electrical conversion. The CRAY T3D MCA system is available in a range of sizes from 32 to 128 processing elements with peak performance scaling from 4.8 to 19.2 GFLOPS. Total system memory sizes range from 0.5 to 8 Gbytes.
CRAY, CRAY Y-MP, and UNICOS are federally registered trademarks and CRAFT, CRAY C90,
CRAY T3D, CRAY T3D Emulator, CRAY T3D MC, SHS, and UNICOS MAX are trademarks of Cray
Research, Inc. CDC is a trademark of Control Data Corporation. DEC is a trademark of
Digital Equipment Corporation. IBM is a trademark of International Business Machines,
Inc. PVM is a trademark of Oak Ridge National Laboratories. UNIX is a trademark of
UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. The product specifications contained in this fact
sheet and the availability of the products are subject to change without notice.
For the latest information, contact your Cray Research representative.
©1993 Cray Research, Inc.
MCPF-1320893
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