Intel MKL is structured to support multiple compilers and interfaces, different OpenMP* implementations, both serial and multiple threads, and a wide range of processors. Conceptually Intel MKL can be divided into distinct parts to support different interfaces, threading models, and core computations:
You can combine Intel MKL libraries to meet your needs by linking with one library in each part layer-by-layer. Once the interface library is selected, the threading library you select picks up the chosen interface, and the computational library uses interfaces and OpenMP implementation (or non-threaded mode) chosen in the first two layers.
To support threading with different compilers, one more layer is needed, which contains libraries not included in Intel MKL:
The following table provides more details of each layer.
|
Layer |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Interface Layer |
This layer matches compiled code of your application with the threading and/or computational parts of the library. This layer provides:
|
|
Threading Layer |
This layer:
This layer is compiled for different environments (threaded or sequential) and compilers (from Intel, GNU*, and so on). |
|
Computational Layer |
This layer is the heart of Intel MKL. It has only one library for each combination of architecture and supported OS. The Computational layer accommodates multiple architectures through identification of architecture features and chooses the appropriate binary code at run time. |
|
Compiler Support Run-time Libraries (RTL) |
To support threading with Intel compilers, Intel MKL uses the compiler support RTL of the Intel® C++ Composer XE or Intel® Fortran Composer XE. To thread using third-party threading compilers, use libraries in the Threading layer or an appropriate compatibility library. |