Disseny i implementació d'un clúster high performance computing

Clúster format per una màquina principal HEAD Node més 19 nodes de càlcul de la gama SGI13 Altix14 XE Servers and Clusters, unides en una topologia de màster subordinat, amb un total de 40 processadors Dual Core i aproximadament 160Gb de RAM.

Plataforma "Cloud Computing" per la comunicació entre pares i professors (Saas)

El projecte que es presenta a continuació és el resultat fruit de la detecció d’un problema de comunicació entre les escoles (sobretot de primària) i el pares dels alumnes que hi cursen els estudis, i la necessitat de trobar-hi una solució. Amb aquesta premissa, i tenint en compte que la tecnologia cada vegada ens ofereix més i millors eines per gestionar les nostres necessitats, es porta a terme la construcció d’un servei al núvol (Saas) capaç de cobrir aquestes necessitats i de fer-ho de la manera més senzilla i eficient possible. La plataforma Aula és un servei on tant professors com pares dels alumnes poden comunicar-se i consultar la informació referent als seus alumnes (en el cas del professors), i dels seus fills (en el cas dels pares/tutors). La solució adoptada ha de ser capaç de funcionar sobre qualsevol aparell (ordinador, tablet o mòbil) i en qualsevol lloc on hi hagi connexió a Internet. No s’ha de realitzar cap tipus d’instal·lació un cop el sistema estigui funcionant, i s’hi podran registrar tants centres com siguin necessaris, així com professionals i pares dels alumnes. També s’ha valorat el manteniment mínim del sistema i la seva escalabilitat, per poder fer front a diferents volums de dades. Així doncs, el projecte Aula es presenta com una solució per gestionar el dia a dia dels professors i alumnes, però que no pretén ser substitut de cap altre sistema de gestió que pugui tenir el centre.

Extension and evaluation of JXTA protocols for supporting reliable P2P distributed computing

Peer-reviewed

Computing the diameter of Coxeter groups

This thesis addresses the problem of computing the minimal and maximal diameter of the Cayley graph of Coxeter groups. We first present and assert relevant parts of polytope theory and related Coxeter theory. After this, a method of contracting the orthogonal projections of a polytope from Rd onto R2 and R3, d ¸ 3 is presented. This method is the Equality Set Projection algorithm that requires a constant number of linearprogramming problems per facet of the projection in the absence of degeneracy. The ESP algorithm allows us to compute also projected geometric diameters of high-dimensional polytopes. A representation set of projected polytopes is presented to illustrate the methods adopted in this thesis.

Computing the persistent homology of range images with alpha shapes

Laser scanning is becoming an increasingly popular method for measuring 3D objects in industrial design. Laser scanners produce a cloud of 3D points. For CAD software to be able to use such data, however, this point cloud needs to be turned into a vector format. A popular way to do this is to triangulate the assumed surface of the point cloud using alpha shapes. Alpha shapes start from the convex hull of the point cloud and gradually refine it towards the true surface of the object. Often it is nontrivial to decide when to stop this refinement. One criterion for this is to do so when the homology of the object stops changing. This is known as the persistent homology of the object. The goal of this thesis is to develop a way to compute the homology of a given point cloud when processed with alpha shapes, and to infer from it when the persistent homology has been achieved. Practically, the computation of such a characteristic of the target might be applied to power line tower span analysis.

Aspectos técnicos envolvidos na construção de um "cluster beowulf"

Beowulf cluster is perhaps the cheapest way to construct a high performance computers. The strategy of reaching a high power computing isn't so difficult, but buying and configurating should be done carefully. Technical aspects of hardware components and message-passing libraries are considered, with some results given as examples.

Programa de gestió per la Pastisseria Mas

En els últims anys, el món de la informàtica ha evolucionat d'una manera inimaginable, tan a nivell de Hardware com de Software. Aquesta evolució ha donat lloc a la creació de moltes empreses dedicades a la programació, on una de les seves principals feines ha estat la realització de programes de gestió d'empreses. Moltes vegades, però, els programes estàndards no poden satisfer el total de les necessitats dels clients, sinó algunes d’aquestes i realitzar un programa personalitzat té un cost elevat. En el cas de la Pastisseria Mas de Navàs, una empresa familiar, per poder realitzar les tasques administratives utilitzen fulls de càlcul, concretament el Microsoft Excel, que permet portar els comptes d'una manera més o menys senzilla, ja que només són necessàries unes nocions bàsiques d'informàtica. El mateix passa amb les dades dels proveïdors, que les guarden en una Base de Dades del tipus Microsoft Access. Una altra de les mancances és el tema dels encàrrecs que es fa de manera manual. Per tant, l’objectiu d’aquest projecte, és realitzar un programa que els hi faciliti la seva activitat. Aquest programa els permetrà gestionar les dades que utilitzen, com la informació sobre els clients, personal, comandes... També s’ha desenvolupat una web que permet obtenir informació sobre les comandes que s’han realitzat. Aquesta aplicació està dissenyada per funcionar en l’entorn Windows XP i s’ha desenvolupat amb el compilador de CodeGear Rad Studio, concretament el C++ Builder 2009. A nivell de base de dades, he utilitzat MySQL i en el cas de la pàgina web, PHP i lamateixa base de dades. L’anàlisi i el disseny ha estat fet en UML.

Virtualització de servidors. Avantatges. Implantació en una PIME real

En la societat d’avui dia, les empreses depenen en gran part dels seus recursos informàtics. La seva capacitat de supervivència i innovació en el mercat actual, on la competitivitat és cada dia més forta, passa per una infraestructura informàtica que els permeti, no només desplegar i implantar ordinadors i servidors de manera ràpida i eficient sinó que també les protegeixi contra parades del sistema informàtic, problemes amb servidors, caigudes o desastres físics de hardware. Per evitar aquests problemes informàtics susceptibles de poder parar el funcionament d’una empresa es va començar a treballar en el camp de la virtualització informàtica amb l’objectiu de poder trobar solucions a aquests problemes a la vegada que s’aprofitaven els recursos de hardware existents d’una manera més òptim a i eficient, reduint així també el cost de la infraestructura informàtica. L’objectiu principal d’aquest treball és veure en primer pla la conversió d’una empresa real amb una infraestructura informàtica del tipus un servidor físic -una funció cap a una infraestructura virtual del tipus un servidor físic -varis servidors virtual -vàries funcions. Analitzarem l’estat actual de l’empresa, servidors i funcions, adquirirem el hardware necessari i farem la conversió de tots els seus servidors cap a una nova infraestructura virtual. Faig especial atenció a les explicacions de perquè utilitzo una opció i no un altre i també procuro sempre donar vàries opcions. Igualment remarco en quadres verds observacions a tenir en compte complementàries al que estic explicant en aquell moment, i en quadres vermells temes en els que s’ha de posar especial atenció en el moment en que es fan. Finalment, un cop feta la conversió, veurem els molts avantatges que ens ha reportat aquesta tecnologia a nivell de fiabilitat, estabilitat, capacitat de tolerància a errades, capacitat de ràpid desplegament de noves màquines, capacitat de recuperació del sistema i aprofitament de recursos físics

Integración de visualización científica molecular en el salón de clases

For some years, Chemistry teachers have used scientific visualization software of molecular models in computing rooms and chemistry laboratories for educational purposes. However, its application in classrooms has been limited. This article describes the integration and use of computer programs for scientific molecular visualization in a traditional classroom. We consider that the improvement of technical aspects of their application and use (usability) has a direct effect on students' understanding of molecular structures (including students' extrinsic motivation), among other factors. Consequently, we developed a guide for the integration of hardware and software of molecular visualization for its use in the classroom.

Uso de hardware de código fonte aberto "Arduino" para acionamento de dispositivo solenoide em sistemas de análises em fluxo

This paper describes the use of the open source hardware platform, denominated "Arduino", for controlling solenoid valves for solutions handling in flow analysis systems. System assessment was carried out by spectrophotometric determination of iron (II) in natural water. The sampling rate was estimated as 45 determinations per hour and the coefficient of variation was lower than 3%. Per determination, 208 µg of 1-10-phenanthroline and ascorbic acid were consumed, generating 1.3 mL of waste. "Arduino" proved a reliable microcontroller with low cost and simple interfacing, allowing USB communication for solenoid device switching in flow systems.

LOW COST ANALYZER FOR THE DETERMINATION OF PHOSPHORUS BASED ON OPEN-SOURCE HARDWARE AND PULSED FLOWS

The need for automated analyzers for industrial and environmental samples has triggered the research for new and cost-effective strategies of automation and control of analytical systems. The widespread availability of open-source hardware together with novel analytical methods based on pulsed flows have opened the possibility of implementing standalone automated analytical systems at low cost. Among the areas that can benefit from this approach are the analysis of industrial products and effluents and environmental analysis. In this work, a multi-pumping flow system is proposed for the determination of phosphorus in effluents and polluted water samples. The system employs photometric detection based on the formation of molybdovanadophosphoric acid, and the fluidic circuit is built using three solenoid micropumps. The detection is implemented with a low cost LED-photodiode photometric detection system and the whole system is controlled by an open-source Arduino Uno microcontroller board. The optimization of the timing to ensure the color development and the pumping cycle is discussed for the proposed implementation. Experimental results to evaluate the system behavior are presented verifying a linear relationship between the relative absorbance and the phosphorus concentrations for levels as high as 50 mg L-1.

When to Utilize Software as a Service

Cloud computing enables on-demand network access to shared resources (e.g., computation, networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort. Cloud computing refers to both the applications delivered as services over the Internet and the hardware and system software in the data centers. Software as a service (SaaS) is part of cloud computing. It is one of the cloud service models. SaaS is software deployed as a hosted service and accessed over the Internet. In SaaS, the consumer uses the provider‘s applications running in the cloud. SaaS separates the possession and ownership of software from its use. The applications can be accessed from any device through a thin client interface. A typical SaaS application is used with a web browser based on monthly pricing. In this thesis, the characteristics of cloud computing and SaaS are presented. Also, a few implementation platforms for SaaS are discussed. Then, four different SaaS implementation cases and one transformation case are deliberated. The pros and cons of SaaS are studied. This is done based on literature references and analysis of the SaaS implementations and the transformation case. The analysis is done both from the customer‘s and service provider‘s point of view. In addition, the pros and cons of on-premises software are listed. The purpose of this thesis is to find when SaaS should be utilized and when it is better to choose a traditional on-premises software. The qualities of SaaS bring many benefits both for the customer as well as the provider. A customer should utilize SaaS when it provides cost savings, ease, and scalability over on-premises software. SaaS is reasonable when the customer does not need tailoring, but he only needs a simple, general-purpose service, and the application supports customer‘s core business. A provider should utilize SaaS when it offers cost savings, scalability, faster development, and wider customer base over on-premises software. It is wise to choose SaaS when the application is cheap, aimed at mass market, needs frequent updating, needs high performance computing, needs storing large amounts of data, or there is some other direct value from the cloud infrastructure.

Desenvolvimento de software e hardware para irrigação de precisão usando pivô central

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver softwares e hardwares para aplicação ao monitoramento e controle automático para a irrigação de precisão usando sistemas do tipo pivô central. O trabalho foi desenvolvido no Departamento de Engenharia Rural - LER, da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" - ESALQ, da Universidade de São Paulo - USP, em Piracicaba - SP. Foram utilizados componentes eletrônicos discretos, circuitos integrados diversos, módulos de radiofreqüência, microcontroladores da família Basic Step e um microcomputador. Foram utilizadas as linguagens Delphi e TBasic. O hardware é constituído de dois circuitos eletrônicos, sendo um deles para "interface" com o computador e o outro para monitoramento e transmissão da leitura de tensiômetros para o computador via radiofreqüência. Foram feitas avaliações do alcance e da eficiência na transmissão de dados dos módulos de radiofreqüência e do desempenho do software e do hardware. Os resultados mostraram que tanto os circuitos quanto os aplicativos desenvolvidos apresentaram funcionamento satisfatório. Os testes de comunicação dos rádios indicaram que esses possuem alcance máximo de 50 m. Concluiu-se que o sistema desenvolvido tem grande potencial para utilização em sistemas de irrigação de precisão usando pivô central, bastando para isso que o alcance dos rádios seja aumentado.

Memristive Computing

Memristive computing refers to the utilization of the memristor, the fourth fundamental passive circuit element, in computational tasks. The existence of the memristor was theoretically predicted in 1971 by Leon O. Chua, but experimentally validated only in 2008 by HP Labs. A memristor is essentially a nonvolatile nanoscale programmable resistor — indeed, memory resistor — whose resistance, or memristance to be precise, is changed by applying a voltage across, or current through, the device. Memristive computing is a new area of research, and many of its fundamental questions still remain open. For example, it is yet unclear which applications would benefit the most from the inherent nonlinear dynamics of memristors. In any case, these dynamics should be exploited to allow memristors to perform computation in a natural way instead of attempting to emulate existing technologies such as CMOS logic. Examples of such methods of computation presented in this thesis are memristive stateful logic operations, memristive multiplication based on the translinear principle, and the exploitation of nonlinear dynamics to construct chaotic memristive circuits. This thesis considers memristive computing at various levels of abstraction. The first part of the thesis analyses the physical properties and the current-voltage behaviour of a single device. The middle part presents memristor programming methods, and describes microcircuits for logic and analog operations. The final chapters discuss memristive computing in largescale applications. In particular, cellular neural networks, and associative memory architectures are proposed as applications that significantly benefit from memristive implementation. The work presents several new results on memristor modeling and programming, memristive logic, analog arithmetic operations on memristors, and applications of memristors. The main conclusion of this thesis is that memristive computing will be advantageous in large-scale, highly parallel mixed-mode processing architectures. This can be justified by the following two arguments. First, since processing can be performed directly within memristive memory architectures, the required circuitry, processing time, and possibly also power consumption can be reduced compared to a conventional CMOS implementation. Second, intrachip communication can be naturally implemented by a memristive crossbar structure.