Astrophysical supercomputing with GPUs: critical decisions for early adopters

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Title: Astrophysical supercomputing with GPUs: critical decisions for early adopters
Author(s): Fluke, Christopher J.; Barnes, David G.; Barsdell, Benjamin R.; Hassan, Amr H.
Abstract: General-purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) is dramatically changing the landscape of high performance computing in astronomy. In this paper, we identify and investigate several key decision areas, with a goal of simplifying the early adoption of GPGPU in astronomy.We consider the merits of OpenCL as an open standard in order to reduce risks associated with coding in a native, vendor-specific programming environment, and present aGPU programming philosophy based on using brute force solutions. We assert that effective use of new GPU-based supercomputing facilities will require a change in approach from astronomers. This will likely include improved programming training, an increased need for software development best practice through the use of profiling and related optimisation tools, and a greater reliance on third-party code libraries.Aswith any newtechnology, thosewilling to take the risks andmake the investment of time and effort to become early adopters of GPGPU in astronomy, stand to reap great benefits.
Publication type: Journal article
Research centre: Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies. Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing
Source: Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia, Vol. 28, no. 1 (2011), pp. 15-27
Publication year: 2011
FOR Code(s): 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences
Keyword(s): Gravitational lensing; N-body simulations; Numerical methods
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
ISSN: 1448-6083
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/as10019
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