How to build better Linux platform for EDA ??

[andy2000a]

Have anyone have experience on build linux server for EDA
design ?

my linux server should support 2~3 designer using EDA
include hspice ...

Q1: which CPU type have high C/P ration ? P4 or P4EE
(Xeon - -> I think very expensive ) K8 or K7
and Intel P4 have high speed FSB .... I don't know which CPU is better
for hspice ...

Q2: how many CPU ? dual CPU or single CPU

Q3: which type HD SCSI or IDE
and how to backup disk ? win2k have many DoskRaid tool
and how to automatic backup under linux ..

Q4: how to select chipset ? SiS or Via or Intel chipset
and I think on-board SCSI will better

Q5: which VGA card ? I think EDA only need 2D + large DRAM..
3D VGA don't need ..

Q6: DRAM size 1G or 2G ... someone said winXP even with 1G
DRAM simulation still slow (because winXP only use < 300M..)
how about linux server ??

 

[soway]

Q1:athon MP or Xeon
Q2:dual CPU may be better
Q3:u'd better use SCSI disk,u can use shell backup your data.
Q4:maybe u must decide cpu first.
Q5:Geforce 4 or other is enough.
Q6:2G or 4G memory

 

[T Zul]

We just setup 2 Linux Server with 3G memory. This feature is one of the crucial element of your setup.

T Zul

 

[gezzas525]

Q1) Opteron 2xx

Q2) DUAL CPU however thier is a QUAD Opteron with AGP coming so be aware and it wont be cheap around the price if a fully configured DUAL ITANIUM.

Q3) SCSI RAID 5 with adaptec controller, linux was originaly for SCSI.

Q4) AMD chipset in the Opteron case the 8000 series.

Q5) Definetly nvidia based card, a geforce 4/5 and preferably a quadro but the 4600/5900 will be fine.

Q6) Depends on your design, iam not sure how linux can use over 4GB of RAM in a 32bit OS. I suggest 1GB DIMMS DDR 400 Reg ECC ($390) and if capacity becomes a problem then 2GB DIMMS DDR 400 Reg ECC ($999) both from crucial. Dont skimp on memory its cheap nowadays and if you have to cut back on something to have more memory then drop the CPU speed. Unless your running 64-bit linux 4GB will be your limit and even then with 64-bit linux and 32-bit applications (i.e. IC 5) you wont be able to have more than 4GB per thread.

 

[okguy]

The most important is the SCSI disk for hardware.

Hspice or Spectre can both handle 2 or more CPU, and are faster if so.

 

[gezzas525]

I agree, SCSI is very important, yes its expensive but linux performs best with SCSI and not the dodgy SCSI emulation used with ide devices.

So Hspice and Spectre can handle more than 2 cpus out of the box or I assume you would need more licenses. If its uncounted?

Also a QUAD CPU workstation would perform well indeed, cutting simulation time by 3/4 roughly.