Which vmware for multiple-cores
 

Hi,

(This is a continuation of this thread on OF & vmware)

I am a bewildered by the choices on the vmware site.

I have an eight-core laptop running 64-bit windows 7.

I would like to install an OF friendly linux -- Debian most likely.

Can I run an OF simulation on multiple cores on vmWare player?

If not, is my other choice VmWare workstation?

Thank you,

Mirko

Hi Mirko,

You could have still used the other thread ;)

OK, I use VMplayer 3.1.4 and it provides up to 8 cores (1,2,4 and 8), so at least in theory it should work!

Now, whether it's worth it or not, that's a whole other aspect, even in real machines! I suggest that you do some tests running with 1, 2, 4 and 8 cores to solve one of your cases, so you can get a feel if using 8 cores will be worth it or not. You can see this blog post of mine: Notes about running OpenFOAM in parallel - and sort through the ideas there to figure out what you can do to improve parallelization.

Usually I use 4 cores on the VM and it does seem to be worth it, at least when I have to do parallel builds of OpenFOAM source. As for running cases in parallel, I'm never able to get linear scale up, not even in a real machine :(

Best regards and good luck!
Bruno

I have mixed feelings about that suggestion, even though I see it done quite often. If I had done so, the thread subject line would not reflect the new question (like right now...) But, that could be just me :o

Going back to the original question (and returning to thread topic ;)), first thank you.

I will first do an experiment. Following OF's suggestion, I will try out OF on the VirtualBox. I will let you know how it goes.

Mirko

I know that self-quoting is bad form, but as this may help others:

I installed VirtualBox and OF on my laptop a few weeks ago using instructions on the openfoam website. The only problem I encountered is file sharing between Ubuntu and the underlying Windows 7. I will take that up on the VirtualBox forum.

I have not yet tried running Ubuntu & OF on multiple cores.

But, what joy having OF on the laptop, and showing it off. It was a big hit at a recent trip :-)