BaBar Platform Migration Plan

This document should be continuously updated and not less than every 6 months.
NOTE: This document should not be edited directly, the original is maintained in CVS.

Last updated: 19th October, 2001

This document serves to specify the currently supported platforms for BaBar computing, together with the proposed changes to this list for the coming six months and the outlook thereafter.

Currently Supported Platforms

Linux2

RedHat 6.2 is the recommended distribution. Any distribution with glibc 2.1 is expected to work (RedHat 6.2 uses glibc version 2.1.3; RedHat 6.1 uses glibc version 2.1.2; BaBar code seems to run correctly in both environments.). The RPMs for the appropriate compilers can be found in /afs/slac/g/babar/package/linux/RedHat6.2 for pre-10.0.0 releases. Post 10.0.0 release use the standard gcc 2.95.2 compiler.

The reference platform is noric.slac.stanford.edu.

Check the Linux HN group for up to date information.

OSF1V4

online05.lbl.gov is the reference platform,

C++ is compiled using "cxx 6.0"
FORTRAN is compiled using "DEC Fortran 90 Compiler V1.3-0221"

For releases >=11.5.0 online06.lbl.gov is the reference platform,

C++ is compiled using "cxx 6.3"
FORTRAN is compiled using "DEC Fortran 90 Compiler V1.3-0221"

SunOS5, SunOS57 and SunOS58 (Solaris)

There are three versions, Solaris 6, Solaris 7 and Solaris 8 , in use at present. We are migrating towards Solaris 8. From release 11.5.0 that will be the only version supported.

Binaries linked under Solaris 6 should execute correctly on a machine running Solaris 7, we have still to verify the same is true for Solaris 8.

Solaris8 is becoming the default at SLAC (flora and shire are now Solaris8), tersk-new should be used for CPU intensive interactive work. To use Solaris 7 at SLAC, log on to tersk; to use Solaris 6, log on to tersk-old. The appropriate resource can also be demanded when building, e.g. "bsub -R sol7 ..." or "bsub -R sol8 ..."

C++ should be compiled using the Sun C++ Compiler v4.2 (for Solaris 6; use v5.0 for Solaris 7 and Workshop 6 Update 1 for Solaris 8)
FORTRAN is compiled using the Sun FORTRAN compiler which comes with Sun Workshop

New Platforms

The process for adding a platform to this list is as follows

• Case made to computing group and approved by Computing Management (already done if the platform appears below).
• Acquisition of a machine (preferably) at SLAC or elsewhere.
• Installation of GNU and other required tools (e.g. AFS) such that standard BaBar 'gmake cold' works on the framework and other packages (BaBar environment ready). This work to be done by either the Tools and Utilites Group or other named collaborators as determined by the Computing Management.
• Full release successfully builds. This work to be done by the Release Coordinator and Package Coordinators (BaBar code ported).
• Acceptance as supported platform
• Provision of reference platform machine at SLAC (minimal BaBar environment supported by BaBar)

Platforms we don't support

NT

While recognising the potential benefits of supporting NT or an another PC based system (we do actually support Linux on Intel now) , we currently do not have the resources to port to and support this platform. We currently have no plans to do so.

Platforms To Be Dropped

OSF1V4 will be dropped 31st December 2002. It may not be supported in the 11 and 12 series release if any significant problems arise with continuing to support it.

Platforms No Longer Supported

AIX 4

Dropped, February 1998.

HP-UX 10

Dropped, February 1998.

OSF 3

Dropped, July 1997.

HP-UX 9

Dropped, February 1997.

AIX3

Dropped, January 1997.

Stephen J. Gowdy