HP Scalable Visualization Array Software - Manual (Page 39)

5 Setting Up and Running a Visualization Session
This chapter explains how to run visualization applications on the SVA. A visualization session
relies primarily on HP XC utilities to do the underlying work; however, you can avoid manually
using the underlying utilities by means of job launch scripts and associated templates provided
by the SVA kit.
For details on HP XC utilities, see the HP XC system documentation.
5.1 Configuration Data Files
This section provides an overview of the Configuration Data Files at a level applicable to all
users of the SVA. For details on the content and syntax of all the Configuration Data Files and
how to modify them, see the SVA System Administration Guide.
Configuration Data Files provide specific information about the system configuration of an SVA.
Site Configuration File details are mainly of interest to the system administrator who manages
and configures the cluster. However, the User Configuration File is likely to be of particular
interest to regular users of the SVA. All visualization sessions that you initiate to run your
application depend on input from the Configuration Data Files.
The Configuration Data Files contain important information on a visualization job session. For
example, they can specify the default applications available (such as, DMX or HP RGS), host
names, default resolution, node roles (render, display, compute, gpu number), and Display
Surface names, associated nodes, and default resolution. (A Display Surface is a named assemblage
of display nodes and their associated display devices, including the physical orientation of the
display devices relative to one another.)
There are three Configuration Data Files, which can interact to provide input when you start a
visualization session:
• Site Configuration File.
This file contains the default system settings and Display Surface definitions. It is generated
initially by HP (and a site administrator if necessary) using the svaconfigure utility when
the cluster software is installed. Only root users can change this file. This file is named
/hptc_cluster/sva/etc/sva.conf
.
• User Configuration File.
Of particular interest to regular users of the SVA, this file lets you override some of the job
preferences specified in the Site Configuration File. This file is named
...~/sva_.conf
.
• Job Settings File.
Job data is defined at job allocation time from options specified to the job launch scripts and
from data access calls embedded in the script. The Job Settings File is named
/hptc_cluster/sva/job/.conf
. This file has a life span equal to that of the job.
Because the three files overlap in several (but not all) of their settings, a hierarchy exists for the
use of values specified from the command line and in more than one file. The prioritized order
of use of tag values during a job is as follows:
1. Command line options.
2. Job Settings File.
3. User Configuration File.
4. Any Display Surface values defined in the Display Surface declaration section of the Site
Configuration File, for example, SVA_TILE_GEOMETRY.
5. Site Configuration File.
5.1 Configuration Data Files 39