deepspeedai / deepspeedai/DeepSpeed

[Question] Combining sync batchnorm with DeepSpeed?

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Python
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Description

Hi,

I'm not sure how to combine synchronized batchnormalization with deepspeed.
Using model_engine.module = torch.nn.SyncBatchNorm.convert_sync_batchnorm(model_engine.module)
Gives me the error: AttributeError: SyncBatchNorm is only supported within torch.nn.parallel.DistributedDataParallel

Is there another way of making my batchnorms synchronized?

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Research direction

Start by reproducing the call to torch.nn.SyncBatchNorm.convert_sync_batchnorm on model_engine.module and reviewing the reported DistributedDataParallel restriction. Determine whether DeepSpeed supports synchronized batch normalization with this setup; done would be a confirmed supported approach or a clearly documented limitation.

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Assessment

Tech stack
python, pytorch
Domain
distributed-systems, machine-learning
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
20/100

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