Running in X windows

The BPS provides an X windows interface. The interface can be started by executing the following command:

# xbps

The desired set of benchmark(s) can then be selected from the list. Note, Netpipe and Netperf require information before they will run (see settings). The selected benchmarks can then be run by pressing the Run selected benchmarks button. In addition, the NAS suite will only run on one node unless other settings are provided under settings. Unless otherwise specified, results are placed in /bps-logs directory. After your benches have run, an HTML file of the results can be produced by clicking on the Create html file of results button. This will create a file called index.html in the logs directory which you can open with your browser.

Settings

Using the settings is the better way to run the benchmarks, and in the case of Netpipe and Netperf is necessary. The settings, however, are not much more complex than running the benches.

• Log Directory - Sets the directory your bench logs will be placed into. Also, when creating an html file from the results, you must create the html file in the same directory as your log directory. Otherwise the program will not be able to find the files it needs to create the page.
• Netperf and Netpipe - The settings for both of these look the same but are distinct, as Netpipe is different than Netperf. You must provide a valid receiver and sender node in both cases. The receiver node setting is the node that will be running the bench as a receiver, and the sender node is the one that will be running it as a sender. Since these benches run as benchmarks for the network communications between the two nodes, it is necessary to have both nodes specified. The interface is determined by the names of the hosts.
• NAS - The default NAS settings are shown when you choose this option. The default settings will run the NAS suite on a single node for the S class size (i.e. workstation). However, if you have two or more nodes/processors, you can add them in the machine list. Because compilation is a part of the tests NAS runs, you can specify which compiler you want it to use. You should also select the MPI version and number of processors you have.
• Machine Info - This is standard information about your motherboard,memory, type of network interface, and the distribution of Linux you are using.
• Prompting - This turns window prompts on/off.

Finding out more about the benchmarks

In the Help menu, you can find a one sentence synopsis of what each benchmark does by selecting Benchmark Info.