Workshop

Advanced Poplar Development for IPU Programming

Learn how to get the most out of the IPU by studying a neural rendering program implemented in Poplar.

Advanced Poplar Development Workshop

Date: 22-23 February 2023

Location: Graphcore London Office

In this workshop, we'll provide an introduction to low-level programming on the IPU by building, running and analysing an application case study written in the Poplar C++ graph programming framework.

Workshop agenda:

Pre-workshop Tutorials

To be completed online in your own time prior to the hands-on workshop. This will cover:

Getting setup with Docker + Visual Studio Code
How to train a simple NIF model on the IPU

Day 1 - Poplar Workshop

Wednesday 22 February | 10:00-17:00 BST

Intro to the Poplar programming model and IPU architecture
Tutorial - programs and variables in Poplar
Lunch break
Tutorials - using PopLibs, writing vertex code, introduction on how to profile IPU code
Networking drinks (optional)

Day 2 - Application case study

Thursday 23 February | 10:00-17:00 BST

How to compile, run, profile, and analyse a Poplar application
Modifying the host program, Poplar graph program, and one of its codelets (compute kernels)
Tips and tricks for architecting larger Poplar programs
Lunch break
Open discussion, Q&A and consultancy sessions (optional)

Participant skills and requirements:

Proficient in C++ programming

Experience in using command line Linux

Familiar with Visual Studio Code, Docker, and Python

Note: This workshop has a limited number of spaces, therefore we may not be able to accommodate everyone. You will be notified by email if you have been selected to participate. Lunch and beverages will be provided on-site.