OWG meeting 11-Jul-2008

Agenda

• Informal discussion on DAQ status - Graham H, Dave A.

Time/Location

1pm Fri 11-Jul-2008 third floor CC hallway across from Elke's office, near the whiteboard. We ended up in F227.

Next Meeting

25-Jul-2008 1pm CC F326

Minutes

Attendees: Elliott W, Graham H, Dave A, Simon T, Carl T, Fernando B, Jim S, Alex S.

DAQ Progress

Graham gave a quick overview of recent DAQ progress. Many DAQ group members have been on vacation recently, though.

• EMU
  • tested using simulated ROC input and real data transport.
  • shell written in Java, calls C++ routines via JNI.
  • receives and builds ok, now needs to work on send module.
  • implements runtime choice of in/build/out modules.
  • full prototype expected by Sep 2008, on schedule.
  • needs to work out strategy for global configuration change.

• 200 kHz test
  • hardware coming along - TI, FADC
  • readout libs in good shape
  • two-crate test by Fall 2008

• CODA 3 ROC is moving along, but slowly
• Manpower needed - admin agreed to new hires but no money yet. No hires means slower progress.
• Linux ROC readout libs - problem with manufacturer's VME library, no Endian swapping! Hope for correct version soon, if not can kludge something up.

Online Farm in Computer Center

We had a long discussion on whether it makes sense to locate the H-D online farm and perhaps other online computers in the CC. The idea is to save money on sys admins, spares, and infrastructure. We identified many pros and cons:

• No savings on sys admins, as we would be charged for "work for others."
• But may be more efficient, as many sys admins might share the load.
• Have to identify a clear advantage to H-D to do this - none identified yet.
• Will we get 24/7 response from CC sys admins?
• What would be the role of the H-D sys admin?
• What might be located in the CC: farm, EB's and ER's, other stuff? Dave showed two possible architectures: Media:online_11-jul-2008_DAQ1.pdf and Media:online_11-jul-2008_DAQ2.pdf. Others are possible.
• How to get 3 GB/s from H-D to CC, and what does it cost?

Elliott will look into cost of transport, Graham will work on manpower issues related to this.

Later...networking guys (Bryan and Brent) say that moving 3 GB/s from the CH to the CC will not be a problem at the time we might need it. The network infrastructure at that time will easily handle this data rate with no modifications.