Staff in Scientific Computing Services, Enterprise Applications and Scientific Computing Applications implemented a process to synchronize the Unix account password expiration dates with an internal (RES) database to improve the process for the administration of LCLS user accounts. This enhancement also provides better visibility of account information to the wider SLAC community.
Scientific Computing Services upgraded its Automated Cartridge System Library Software (ACSLS) from version 7.3.1 to 8.2. This upgrade ensures that SCS stays on a supported release of the software and dovetails with the release required to inter-operate with HPSS. Furthermore, the ACSLS upgrade allows the Computing Division to continue with plans to partition the tape library for offsite tape backup copies. Lastly, the upgrade permits the use of a new tape drive called the T10000D, which can store 70 percent more data on the same tape cartridge used by our current T10000C drives. Future use of the T10000D tape drives would provide greater overall tape capacity without the addition of another tape library.
Scientific Computing Services upgraded its High Performance Storage System (HPSS) software from version 7.3.3.7 to 7.3.3.8. This provides some bug fixes and will keep HPSS compatible with the recent Automated Cartridge System Library Software (ACSLS) upgrade. In addition, certain HPSS tape servers had their disk caches reconfigured for increased capacity to allow HPSS to better handle incoming scientific data traffic.
Scientific Computing Services completed several upgrades to the 1536-core hequ compute cluster. The nodes are now running RHEL6 on a new SLAC subnet with outbound TCP connectivity to support the Open Science Grid. The cluster management interface was also modified to use standard IPMI-based console software, removing the need for obsolete serial cable connections. The increase in the number RHEL6 cores will benefit ATLAS jobs and MPI users running on the "bullet" Infiniband cluster.
Scientific Computing Services has automated network link aggregation for UNIX services that need high-bandwidth or high-availability. These server configurations bond multiple links to the SLAC network and can use independent switch modules for an additional level of redundancy. The associated IP address settings can be easily updated, reducing the amount of time required to move these servers between different subnets.
Scientific Computing Services installed LSF 9.1.1, which is an upgrade to the LSF 9.1 software for the batch environment. This version provides some additional features, including better support for MPI users.