Using the Intel® MPI Library in a server/client setup

By James T., Published: 07/13/2012, Last Updated: 07/13/2018

Overview

In some instances, it can be advantageous to have an MPI program join a job after it has started. Additional resources can be added to a long job as they become available, or a more traditional server/client program can be created. This can be facilitated with the MPI_Comm_accept and MPI_Comm_connect functions.
 

Key Functions

  • MPI_Open_port - Creates the port that is used for the communications. This port is given a name that is used to reference it later, both by the server and the client. Only the server program calls MPI_Open_port
  • MPI_Comm_accept - Uses the previously opened port to listen for a connecting MPI program. This is called by the server and will create an intercommunicator once it completes.
  • MPI_Comm_connect - Connects to another MPI program at the named port. This is called by the client and will create an intercommunicator once it completes.

Notes

  • The programs must use the same fabric in order to connect, as the port is dependent on the fabric.
  • The programs must be on the same operating system in order to connect. Different versions/distributions of the same operating systems could work, this has not been tested and is not supported.
  • The method of getting the port name from the server to the client can vary.

Product and Performance Information

1

Intel's compilers may or may not optimize to the same degree for non-Intel microprocessors for optimizations that are not unique to Intel microprocessors. These optimizations include SSE2, SSE3, and SSSE3 instruction sets and other optimizations. Intel does not guarantee the availability, functionality, or effectiveness of any optimization on microprocessors not manufactured by Intel. Microprocessor-dependent optimizations in this product are intended for use with Intel microprocessors. Certain optimizations not specific to Intel microarchitecture are reserved for Intel microprocessors. Please refer to the applicable product User and Reference Guides for more information regarding the specific instruction sets covered by this notice.

Notice revision #20110804

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