Multicore Support for Apache

[JohnLloyd]

Have we got any idea of an approximate time-scale for when we can expect Apache to include multi-core support? Obviously Flux and Suncast have gained multi-core over the last 12 months or so...will Apache be following any time soon?

I'm looking at getting a new computer for running IES and my decision on which processor to go for hinges on whether I'll be stuck running simulations on a single-core for the foreseeable future?

Thanks.

[Complex Potential]

I too would like to see this implemented but I fear it may never fully happen.

From what I understand, the Apache calculation process just does not lend itself to being run in parallel. For multicore processing to happen, the calculation engine would need to be altered which may not even be possible and I doubt IES would want to mess with something that fundamental.

For the record, Tas also have this issue (since the types of calculations are similar) but they address it partially within their Part L studio by having the notional, actual and typical buildings running together if additional cores are available. I would like to think that IES could do something similar.

CP

[JohnLloyd]

Well, with it being (I presume) an iterative calculation, I don't really see why it can't be done. Finite difference / finite element calculations actually lend themselves quite well to multicore....

[Complex Potential]

I don't know the reasons but the programmers at EDSL also said the same thing so I figure there must be some truth to it. Perhaps one of the IES bods would care to comment?

[Mike]

I can't give too much away, but I think it is fair to say that we are considering multicore support for ApacheSim, so watch this space!

Mike

[JohnLloyd]

.....but they address it partially within their Part L studio by having the notional, actual and typical buildings running together if additional cores are available. I would like to think that IES could do something similar.

Just that in itself would be quite a big help. Especially on large models where the simulation has a problem with the Notional or Reference building. I need to make it rerun the whole Actual building again for hours before being able to see whether I've solved the problem with the Notional....

(I know you can switch VE Compliance to the Notional building and run a test simulation, but I don't believe you can do this with Suncast enabled and more often than not the Notional's simulation problems are related to Suncast)