ubuntu opencl 6.1.2 not supported for ubuntu?

[CFR]

Trying to get a CPU only version of OpenCL working for Ubuntu just so I can play around with the language.  Using an AWS Ubuntu 16.04.5 instance.  Per https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/opencl-drivers#cpu-lin-u I downloaded http://registrationcenter-download.intel.com/akdlm/irc_nas/12556/opencl_runtime_16.1.2_x64_rh_6.4.0.37.tgz but when I install it I get the error pop-up shown in the attached image file (sorry I don't know how to inline it ;^(). Basically it says it doesn't support my OS, only RedHat and CentOS are supported.

system info:

$ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID:    Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 16.04.5 LTS
Release:    16.04
Codename:    xenial
$ uname -a
Linux ip-172-31-41-172 4.4.0-1065-aws #75-Ubuntu SMP Fri Aug 10 11:14:32 UTC 2018 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

I'm also curious in that it says I need to get lsb-core >= 4.0 but it looks like I have 9.something  (which I think should be >= 4 ??)

$ apt list lsb-core

Listing... Done
lsb-core/xenial-updates 9.20160110ubuntu0.2 amd64

I'm new to this OpenCL stuff, so any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

[Michael_C_Intel1 · Accepted solution]

Hello CraigR,

Thanks for the post.

Ubuntu is not a supported OS for the 2017 SDK, however it's been confirmed to function on Ubuntu... That dialog mentioning RHEL/CentOS may be misleading... The installer should not block a sysadmin from proceeding based on that dialog message alone. 

We recently refactored the SDK's getting started page... it includes a general explanation as well as linux specific with some script examples to run on Ubuntu. Please consider adapting the Ubuntu setup examples to match your system prereq's as necessary. Every configuration is different. 

• https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/sdk-for-opencl-gsg
• https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/sdk-for-opencl-2017-gsg-linux-os ;  <--- lsb-core is mentioned

I can't immediately comment on my reference system for Ubuntu w.r.t. the specific lsb-core mentioned but I hope the links provided encourage a good place to start...

Good luck and thanks for your interest and participation on this forum.

-MichaelC

[CFR]

I have, in fact, found that things do work under Ubuntu (though I'm just playing with toy programs and not really stressing the language).  I think the biggest confusion for newbies like me is that there are explicit links (https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/opencl-drivers#cpu-lin-u) for Ubuntu versions of the CPU download, which when used claim not to be supported.  At least here in the forum the conflict is documented so others won't get confused.

[Michael_C_Intel1]

Hi CraigR,

Thank you for explaining the gap. It helps us reconcile documentation. Some detail:

1) The OpenCL™ implemenations themselves provided at the link are supported. Intel® CPU Runtime for OpenCL™ Applications on Ubuntu* OS is supported. This support is distinct from the 2017 SDK support.

2) The 2017 SDK is supported on CentOS*. It is expected compatible with Ubuntu* OS.

The semantic difference is that for supported there is an immediate paid path to get priority support and an intent to create service level agreements for CentOS* only. 'supported' is an overloaded word in the software industry... Hopefully the installer messaging will be more clear in the upcoming 2019 SDK.

As a new person, I recommend checking out this recent thread... which unfortunately will live on computer vision forums.

https://software.intel.com/en-us/node/785629

Also... the stickies in this ocl forum.

Thanks for your participation. Good luck.

-MichaelC

[Michael_C_Intel1]

For more on specific versions of OS's that are supported with the Intel CPU Runtime for OpenCL Applications please see the release notes:

https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/opencl-runtime-release-notes/

Direct Link: https://software.intel.com/sites/default/files/managed/09/5d/opencl-runtime-16.1.2-release_notes.pdf

-MichaelC