TY - JOUR
T1 - Pirana and PCluster: a modeling environment and cluster infrastructure for NONMEM
AU - Keizer, R.J.
AU - van Benten, M.
AU - Beijnen, J.H.
AU - Schellens, J.H.M.
AU - Huitema, AD
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling using non-linear mixed effects modeling (NONMEM) is a powerful yet challenging technique, as the software is generally accessed from the command line. A graphical user interface, Pirana, was developed that offers a complete modeling environment for NONMEM, enabling both novice and advanced users to increase efficiency of their workflow. Pirana provides features for the management and creation of model files, the overview of modeling results, creation of run reports and handling of datasets and output tables, and the running of custom R scripts on model output. Through the secure shell (SSH) protocol, Pirana can also be used to connect to Linux clusters (SGE, MOSIX) for distribution of workload. Modeling with NONMEM is computationally burdensome, which may be alleviated by distributing runs to computer clusters. A solution to this problem is offered here, called PCluster. This platform is easy to set up, runs in standard network environments, and can be extended with additional nodes if needed. The cluster supports the modeling toolkit Perl speaks NONMEM (PsN), and can include dedicated or non-dedicated PCs. A daemon script, written in Perl, was designed to run in the background on each node in the cluster, and to manage job distribution. The PCluster can be accessed from Pirana, and both software products have extensively been tested on a large academic network. The software is available under an open-source license.
AB - Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling using non-linear mixed effects modeling (NONMEM) is a powerful yet challenging technique, as the software is generally accessed from the command line. A graphical user interface, Pirana, was developed that offers a complete modeling environment for NONMEM, enabling both novice and advanced users to increase efficiency of their workflow. Pirana provides features for the management and creation of model files, the overview of modeling results, creation of run reports and handling of datasets and output tables, and the running of custom R scripts on model output. Through the secure shell (SSH) protocol, Pirana can also be used to connect to Linux clusters (SGE, MOSIX) for distribution of workload. Modeling with NONMEM is computationally burdensome, which may be alleviated by distributing runs to computer clusters. A solution to this problem is offered here, called PCluster. This platform is easy to set up, runs in standard network environments, and can be extended with additional nodes if needed. The cluster supports the modeling toolkit Perl speaks NONMEM (PsN), and can include dedicated or non-dedicated PCs. A daemon script, written in Perl, was designed to run in the background on each node in the cluster, and to manage job distribution. The PCluster can be accessed from Pirana, and both software products have extensively been tested on a large academic network. The software is available under an open-source license.
U2 - 10.1016/j.cmpb.2010.04.018
DO - 10.1016/j.cmpb.2010.04.018
M3 - Article
SN - 0169-2607
VL - 101
SP - 72
EP - 79
JO - Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
JF - Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
IS - 1
ER -