HP Scalable Visualization Array Software - Manual (Page 22)

Figure 3-1 Sample SVA Bounded Configuration
GigE
External Node
Display
Devices
Base Rack (UVB)
Network Configurations
This section describes the different networks used in the SVA.
System Interconnect (SI)
The SI for visualization nodes can be GigE, InfiniBand, or Myrinet. When the visualization nodes are
integrated with compute nodes, the choice of SI is usually determined by the requirements of the compute
nodes.
Administrative Network Connections
A GigE interconnect serves as the Administrative Network to control the operation of the cluster (for example,
boot, shutdown, restart) and to control the running parts of a distributed application (for example, launching
and stopping processes).
The SVA adds visualization capability to an HP XC cluster; therefore, the Administrative Network is
implemented with the logical configuration defined by the HP XC and Cluster Platform architectures. However,
the physical implementation differs.
The management switches are collected together in one rack. SVA nodes connect to branch switches in the
Administrative Network. SVA nodes do not connect to the console branch.
Nodes connect to the switches according to the Cluster Platform Administrative Network connections for HP
XC. Display and render node types are typically grouped together.
Display Devices
This section describes the supported devices you can add to an SVA. Display devices are not necessarily
provided as part of the SVA. For example, your site can use projector display systems or immersive displays
provided by third party suppliers.
Displays fall into a number of categories, including immersive CAVE displays, single monitors, multiheaded
monitors, large wall displays, multiheaded desktops, flat panels, and projector displays used in theaters.
SVA hardware and software deliver images to digital or analog standard interfaces. The SVA depends on
the graphics cards to drive the image output. This means whatever display devices the graphics cards support
are available for use.
Theoretically, SVA technology can scale to arbitrarily large displays. Realistically, the bandwidth of the
network delivering subparts of the image to various nodes, and the resolution of display devices are limiting
factors. You can create large displays by arranging a grid of smaller displays.
22 SVA Hardware and Software