MATLAB Parallel Computing Toolbox (PCT)

Setting Up the Batch Configuration: SGE

For local computers, there is no need to set up batch configuration. However, MATLAB 2008b or newer along with the Parallel Computing Toolbox must have already been installed. See instructions for details.

1. Log on to Katana with X-window software, such as x-win32.
   
2. Run MATLAB. (The current default version is R2008b on Katana)
3. Select "Parallel/Manage Configurations" on the MATLAB task bar.
   
   
4. Select File/New/Generic.
   
   
5. A "Generic Scheduler Configuration Properties" window pops up. Fill in information EXACTLY as shown in the pop-up window. There are three tabs in this pane; it is default to the "Scheduler" tab. Once you have finished filling in the necessary data, don't click "OK" yet! You need also to fill in some more data in the "Jobs" tab. First, data entered in the "Scheduler" pane by a user are shown below, in red, together with the screen shot:
   • Configuration name : SGE
   • Description : Sun Grid Engine batch configuration
   • Root directory ... : /usr/local/matlab
   • Number of workers available to scheduler: 32
   • Function called when submitting parallel jobs: sgeParallelSubmitFcn
   • Function called when submitting distributed jobs: sgeSubmitFcn
   • Cluster nodes' OS (ClusterOsType): leave it as "Unset"
   • Job data location is accessible ... : select "True"
   
6. After verifying that all data entered is accurate, click on the "Jobs" tab.
   • Maximum number of workers that can run job: 4 (or your preference)
   • Minimum number of workers that can run job: 4 (or your preference)
   The Min/Max worker numbers are used as default. You could override the numbers at run time. If you clicked the OK button instead, you will need to go back to Step 3 above. You would see a pane that's identical to the screen shot of Step 9. Right-click on "SGE" and then select "Properties" to come back to this step.
   
   
7. No action is required for the third, "Tasks", tab.
8. Now, click OK to finish.
9. You should now be back to the "Configurations Manager" window. Select "SGE" as the default configuration on the Katana Cluster. You are all set. Just kill the window. You may notice the "Start Validation" button on the right bottom. Ignore it.