Project Details
Projekt
High-Performance Computer
Term
Funded in 2022
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 507742378
The Computing Centre (RHRK) of the University of Kaiserslautern (TUK) is applying for a powerful and scalable HPC system (Tier 3) based on a cluster solution consisting of CPU nodes, GPU nodes, a high-speed network and a highly productive parallel storage system.A maximum of 10% of the HPC system is made available to scientists as a local compute server for general computations, the rest is reserved for demanding scientific projects. A share of max. 15% can be used by projects within the Alliance for High Performance Computing in Rhineland-Palatinate (AHRP). The system is also used to prepare calculations on Tier 2 systems (the TUK is involved in the NHR South-West) and to promote methodological competence in the field of high-performance computing.The investment volume for the system will be 3,200,000 EUR incl. VAT.From the end of 2022, the cluster applied for will replace half of the "Elwetritsch" cluster, which has been in operation since 2012 and was expanded in two phases in 2015 and 2018. Based on positive experience, the new system is to be procured and installed again in two phases in 2022 and 2024. The goal is to cover as much of the current and projected computing needs of the TUK and the AHRP as possible by the year 2026.On behalf of the Ministry of Science and Health of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, a commission of the AHRP coordinates the activities in the field of high-performance computing in the state. This commission is also responsible for approving prioritised scientific projects on the cluster. The scientific projects currently approved for use on the cluster account for about 80% of use and originate from subject areas that are typical for a technical university. In total, 32 scientific projects are currently approved for using the cluster. With only 2 projects, the Chemistry Department is responsible for the majority of use, followed by the Physics Department with 10 projects. There are 7 approved projects in the Department of Computer Science, 5 in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and 1 project each from the Departments of Civil Engineering, Biology and Electrical Engineering. The AHRP has increased ist activity with 4 projects during the operating time of the current expansion stage. New projects and follow-up projects are being planned (see Annex A).Since technologies and prices of cluster components are always changing and evolving, a final decision on the target system will be made at the time of procurement. This way, it may also be possible to achieve a performance of the HPC system that goes beyond the informational quotes, so that the discrepancy between the availability and demand for computing power is less dramatic than it is at present.
DFG Programme
Major Research Instrumentation
Major Instrumentation
Hochleistungsrechner
Instrumentation Group
7040 Vektorrechner
Applicant Institution
Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau
