Mining rig extraordinaire - the Trenton BPX6806 18-slot PCIe backplane [PICS]

[Spotswood]

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Second, what app are you using to model the rig frame?  I need to do something similar but don't know what would be good software to use for mocking up ideas.

Its the the free Google Sketchup.  There's a library of computer component models at http://scc.jezmckean.com/home, which you can import into your own model. 

[rjk]

I'm guessing there still isn't a solution to the lame 8 GPU limit with AMD drivers? I've read through a few of the pages and it sounds like short of AMD adjusting the limits in the drivers you'll be stuck at 8 cores.

Yeah, but I'm going to attempt to experiment with virtualization and things to see what I can do.

[amazingrando]

I'm guessing there still isn't a solution to the lame 8 GPU limit with AMD drivers? I've read through a few of the pages and it sounds like short of AMD adjusting the limits in the drivers you'll be stuck at 8 cores.

Yeah, but I'm going to attempt to experiment with virtualization and things to see what I can do.

^^ This is perhaps the most interesting part of the whole project from my perspective.  If there is a way to use virtualization but still access the GPU hardware, that could allow for some really interesting ways of doing things.

[mcorlett]

If there is a way to use virtualization but still access the GPU hardware, that could allow for some really interesting ways of doing things.

There is, and a lot of commercial virtualization software offers it. It's usually called "GPU pass-through", or something along those lines.

[amazingrando]

If there is a way to use virtualization but still access the GPU hardware, that could allow for some really interesting ways of doing things.

There is, and a lot of commercial virtualization software offers it. It's usually called "GPU pass-through", or something along those lines.

Nice!  I see that Citrix' XenServer has it.  I wonder if that means that Xen (open source version) also has it.

Going to have to do some testing tonight.

[rjk]

If there is a way to use virtualization but still access the GPU hardware, that could allow for some really interesting ways of doing things.

There is, and a lot of commercial virtualization software offers it. It's usually called "GPU pass-through", or something along those lines.

Yes, but I have yet to hear from anyone that has tested it much. Luke-jr is the only one that I know of that has actually mined with a video card in a virtualized OS, using KVM passthough virtualization. But that was only one card, and the system was somewhat unstable. Others have mentioned that since the drivers run in usermode with X, that I might be able to run multiple X instances. But I don't really know enough about how that works to know how to set it up, or even whether it would work at all.

[amazingrando]

If there is a way to use virtualization but still access the GPU hardware, that could allow for some really interesting ways of doing things.

There is, and a lot of commercial virtualization software offers it. It's usually called "GPU pass-through", or something along those lines.

Yes, but I have yet to hear from anyone that has tested it much. Luke-jr is the only one that I know of that has actually mined with a video card in a virtualized OS, using KVM passthough virtualization. But that was only one card, and the system was somewhat unstable. Others have mentioned that since the drivers run in usermode with X, that I might be able to run multiple X instances. But I don't really know enough about how that works to know how to set it up, or even whether it would work at all.

I'm fairly swamped at the moment, but if I can find some time I'll give it a try and see how it works, then report my results.

[Gomeler]

I'm guessing there still isn't a solution to the lame 8 GPU limit with AMD drivers? I've read through a few of the pages and it sounds like short of AMD adjusting the limits in the drivers you'll be stuck at 8 cores.

Yeah, but I'm going to attempt to experiment with virtualization and things to see what I can do.

I see. If you find a solution it'll make for some very interesting possibilities. Wish you the best of luck on that.

[Garr255]

First of all - this has been really interested to watch it develop.  The more rigs I've accumulated the more management of rigs becomes an issue and higher density setups look more appetizing.  Can't wait to see how it turns out.  Specifically how well it works and what the final bill is.

Second, what app are you using to model the rig frame?  I need to do something similar but don't know what would be good software to use for mocking up ideas.

Solidworks is great for doing stuff like that, I don't know what he's using though.

This is progressing really well though. Looks awesome!

[rjk]

Solidworks is great for doing stuff like that, I don't know what he's using though.

This is progressing really well though. Looks awesome!

Read up the page just a little bit...:

Its the the free Google Sketchup.  There's a library of computer component models at http://scc.jezmckean.com/home, which you can import into your own model. 

[amazingrando]

Solidworks is great for doing stuff like that, I don't know what he's using though.

This is progressing really well though. Looks awesome!

Read up the page just a little bit...:

Its the the free Google Sketchup.  There's a library of computer component models at http://scc.jezmckean.com/home, which you can import into your own model. 

That made my day right there.  Not just a cool free tool, but a library with computer part models.  Yay!!

[Garr255]

Yeah, I need to get into the habit of reading the thread before replying

[rjk]

Yeah, I need to get into the habit of reading the thread before replying

I think the issue is that most folks don't realize that they can click the little tiny word "NEW" the appears at the end of the thread title. What that does is bring you straight to the most recent message in the thread that you haven't read. So it doesn't go all the way to the end, it starts where you left off. It makes my forum-browsing life so much easier.

[bulanula]

Yeah, I need to get into the habit of reading the thread before replying

I think the issue is that most folks don't realize that they can click the little tiny word "NEW" the appears at the end of the thread title. What that does is bring you straight to the most recent message in the thread that you haven't read. So it doesn't go all the way to the end, it starts where you left off. It makes my forum-browsing life so much easier.

Thank you for the helpful forum usage tips !

Any other such features that may not be obvious but highly useful ?

Thanks again !

[rjk]

Guys, check out the pure awesome radiating from this thing. What a beast.

[Turbor]

Guys, check out the pure awesome radiating from this thing. What a beast.

Nice now get those components in !

[Cablez]

That thing is a beast!!!!   What are the outer dimensions if I might ask?

[ice_chill]

Hi, can you provide more info on the power supply please ? (the Dell 2000w) how did you wire it up and is it running now ?

Thanks.

[amazingrando]

Guys, check out the pure awesome radiating from this thing. What a beast.

 

Beauty!

[rjk]

That thing is a beast!!!!   What are the outer dimensions if I might ask?

I'm not actually 100% sure of the exact dimensions, but Spotswood could probably tell us.

Hi, can you provide more info on the power supply please ? (the Dell 2000w) how did you wire it up and is it running now ?

Thanks.

I haven't even messed with them yet. I need to find a c19 plug somewhere, and then a multimeter so I can start poking around the signal pins hoping it doesn't blow up. I also need to find out the best way to make a common 12v bus for so many amps, as well as a way to attach all the 6/8-pin connectors to it. It will probably be some manner of copper bus bar, with the connectors scavenged from old power supplies.