BLAS and LAPACK 2016

The libraries BLAS Basic Linear Algebra Subprograms and LAPACK — Linear Algebra Package are not installed on FLOW and HERO as single modules. The reason for this is the worse performance of self compiled version. However, both libraries in a highly optimized version are available within the Intel MKL (Math Kernel Library) and in the ACML (AMD Core Math Library). These optimized libraries are significantly faster than self compiled LAPACK and BLAS libraries. So it is worth to use these libraries which are optimized for the used Intel processors.

Intel MKL

The Intel Math Kernel Library (= MKL) is a highly optimized, extensively threaded math routine for science, engineering and financial applications that require maximum performance.

To find out more about the module you can either use the command

module spider imkl

or visit the official MKL-page.

Inside the MKL, all BLAS and LAPACK routines are included. The MKL can be linked independently if you are using the PGI, GNU compilers or the Intel compilers.

Unfortunately the linking of the MKL against your code is not easy and depends on the release of the MKL. Luckily there exists a nice configurator from Intel to get the right compiler and linker flags. In case of trouble when compiling/linking please contact Scientific Computing.

ACML

The ACML library is includes in the PGI Compiler Suite module

 PGI/16.10

Inside the ACML all BLAS and LAPACK routines are included. Again, the ACML can be linked independently if you are using the PGI, GNU compilers or the Intel compilers. In case of trouble when compiling/linking please contact Scientific Computing.

Documentation

• BLAS sources and documentation
• LAPACK
• LAPACK User Guide
• Intel MKL conigurator
• ACML