Research Computing at OIST

High performance computing (HPC) is the foundation of OIST’s capability to carry out cutting-edge research in science and technology. On June 21, Dr. Alf Wachsmann, HPC Manager of OIST, held a seminar, "Research Computing at OIST" at the OIST campus. Dr. Wachsmann has worked at OIST since March 2011 and is responsible for the HPC facilities. In this seminar, Dr. Wachsmann first explained current status of HPC facilities in OIST, and he then mentioned some of the issues of the current systems and remedies to improve them.

Dr. Wachsmann leads participants on a tour of the HPC facilities in OIST.

OIST is currently using several HPC systems, and it has become increasingly important to ensure that they work together efficiently. There will be more Principal Investigators (PIs) joining OIST, and the university will need first-class scientific computing to support them.  Dr. Wachsmann proposed three strategies to improve the HPC facilities in OIST: 1) Adding /updating HPC system; 2) Fast cluster storage that is accessible via Ethernet. It will enables researchers to access the data from everywhere in OIST; and 3) Integrating all the HPC system in OIST.

After the seminar, participants had a chance to take a look around the server room where HPC facilities are located, and heard plans for future installations.

Dr. Wachsmann also mentioned SC11, the International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage and Analysis, which will take place in Seattle, U.S.A. from November 12-18. In this conference, HPC specialists from all over the world will get together to facilitate information exchange, discussion and new collaborations. Dr. Wachsman will be joining this conference as a representative of OIST.