The Intel Math Kernel Library (MKL) is a highly optimized library for mathematical computations. It provides a wide range of mathematical functions, particularly for linear algebra, fast Fourier transforms, and random number generation, making it invaluable for scientists, engineers, and data analysts. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing the Intel MKL on a Linux system using the apt-get package manager. Specifically, we will cover the installation of the 64-bit version of Intel MKL 2018.2.046.
1. Prerequisites
Before you start the installation process, make sure your system meets the following requirements:
- Operating System: This guide assumes you are using a Debian-based Linux distribution (like Ubuntu).
- Root Access: You need root privileges to install software using
apt-get. - Internet Connection: Ensure your system is connected to the internet to download the necessary packages.
2. Understanding MKL
Intel MKL is designed for high performance on Intel architecture but also works on other architectures. It is especially optimized for:
- Linear Algebra: Solving systems of equations, eigenvalue problems, and singular value decomposition.
- Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT): For efficient computation of Fourier transforms.
- Random Number Generation: Providing high-quality pseudo-random numbers for simulations and modeling.
3. Updating Your Package List
Before installing any new package, it’s a good practice to update your package list. Open a terminal and execute:
sudo apt-get update
This command refreshes the list of available packages and their versions, ensuring you install the latest versions.
4. Installing Intel MKL
Intel MKL may not be available directly in the default repositories, so you may need to add the Intel repository or download it from Intel’s official website. However, for our purposes, we’ll proceed with the installation via apt-get as follows:
Step 4.1: Install the Intel MKL Package
You can install the Intel MKL by executing the following command in the terminal:
sudo apt-get install intel-mkl-64bit-2018.2-046
Step 4.2: Resolving Dependencies
During the installation, apt-get will automatically resolve and install any dependencies required by the Intel MKL package. If you encounter any prompts during installation, follow the instructions to complete the process.
5. Verifying the Installation
Once the installation is complete, you should verify that Intel MKL has been installed correctly. You can check this by listing the installed packages or by checking the version:
dpkg -l | grep intel-mkl
This command will display the installed MKL package and its version, confirming that the installation was successful.
6. Configuring the Environment
After installation, you may need to configure your environment to use Intel MKL effectively. This typically involves setting the appropriate environment variables.
Step 6.1: Setting Up Environment Variables
To use Intel MKL in your applications, you need to set the following environment variables in your shell configuration file (e.g., .bashrc or .bash_profile):
export MKL_ROOT=/opt/intel/mkl
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$MKL_ROOT/lib/intel64:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH
export CPATH=$MKL_ROOT/include:$CPATH
export LIBRARY_PATH=$MKL_ROOT/lib/intel64:$LIBRARY_PATH
After adding these lines, save the file and run:
source ~/.bashrc
This will apply the changes immediately.
7. Compiling Applications with MKL
To take advantage of MKL in your applications, you need to link against the library during compilation. Here’s how to compile a simple C program using MKL:
Step 7.1: Writing a Sample Program
Create a file called mkl_example.c with the following code:
// Example: A simple addition of two vectors
int n = 5;
double a[5] = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5};
double b[5] = {5, 4, 3, 2, 1};
double c[5];
cblas_daxpy(n, 1.0, a, 1, b, 1);
for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
printf(“%f “, b[i]);
}
printf(“\n”);
}
Step 7.2: Compiling the Program
You can compile this program using gcc and link against the MKL libraries. Use the following command:
gcc mkl_example.c -o mkl_example -I$MKL_ROOT/include -L$MKL_ROOT/lib/intel64 -lmkl_intel_lp64 -lmkl_intel_thread -lmkl_core -lpthread -lm
Step 7.3: Running the Program
Once compiled, you can run the program using:
./mkl_example
This will execute the vector addition and display the result.
8. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Issue 1: Library Not Found
If you encounter errors related to missing libraries when running your application, ensure that the LD_LIBRARY_PATH is set correctly to include the MKL library path.
Issue 2: Compilation Errors
If there are errors during compilation, double-check that you are linking the correct MKL libraries and that the header files are accessible.
Issue 3: Performance Concerns
If you notice that the performance is not as expected, consider using Intel’s performance analysis tools to profile your application and identify bottlenecks.
9. Uninstalling Intel MKL
If for any reason you need to uninstall Intel MKL, you can do so using:
sudo apt-get remove intel-mkl-64bit-2018.2-046
This command will remove the MKL package from your system.
10. Conclusion
In this article, we covered the installation and configuration of the Intel Math Kernel Library on a Linux system using the apt-get package manager. By following the steps outlined, you should be able to successfully install MKL, set up your environment, and compile applications that leverage its powerful mathematical functions.
Intel MKL is an essential tool for anyone working with numerical computations in scientific computing, machine learning, or data analysis. By using MKL, you can achieve significant performance improvements, making your applications faster and more efficient.
If you have further questions or need additional help with Intel MKL, feel free to consult the Intel MKL documentation or the Intel community forums. Happy computing!
