Exploring the Powerful Combination of Linux and FPGA for HighPerformance Computing（linuxfpga）
High-performance computing (HPC) has been with us for some time and is used for a range of demanding computing tasks. As our demand for higher computing performance increases, so does the need for more powerful machines. Linux and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA)s have emerged as powerful tools for HPC applications.
Linux, an open source operating system, provides a versatile platform for various applications. It is widely used, easy to install and configure, and has the most comprehensive support. This makes Linux the most popular choice for HPC needs.
FPGAs, on the other hand, are specialized computer chips that can be programmed to solve widely varying computing tasks. FPGAs are also wellknown for their parallel computing capabilities, allowing higher performance computation and better use of hardware resources.
When Linux and FPGAs are used together, they can be deployed in high-performance computing systems, offering increased speed and versatility. By utilizing multiple cores and threads, the combination of Linux and FPGAs can provide the needed computing power for multiple tasks and workloads.
A high performance Linux-FPGA deployment can be achieved with the combination of the open source frameworks, such as ZED and ODK. ZED enables developers to quickly and easily create HPC solutions for Linux, utilizing FPGA as a parallel computing resource. ODK is also a framework for managing FPGA deployments and enabling abstraction of the system from the FPGA.
To get started, first install and configure the Linux and FPGA software. Then, setup the development environment, such as setting up standard Linux terminal commands, compiling and running on FPGAs. Third, start developing the HPC application and the FPGA accelerated algorithms, using the ZED or ODK frameworks. Finally, deploy the application on the system and start benchmarking it.
For faster benchmarking, enable hardware-accelerated network services, such as OpenFabrics and Omnipath. This will enable quick deployment of the application on multiple nodes, and at the same time, provide high speed communication between the nodes and FPGAs.
The combination of these two tools can provide immense benefits. Linux and FPGAs allows for scalability and portability of applications, with increased performance and versatility. We can harness this powerful combination to create cost-efficient solutions for high-performance computing needs.
