Postgraduate Diploma in Computing by Distance Learning
Practical Activity 2: Super Computers
Contents
2.1 Introduction to the Stampede Super Computer 2
2.2 The Stampede Super Computer 2
2.3 Computer Architecture 3
2.4 What the Stampede is being used for 4
2.5 Interesting Facts about the Stampede Super Computer 6
References 7
2.1 Introduction to the Stampede Super Computer
The Stampede, one of the most advanced scientific research instruments in the world, which was designed, built and deployed by the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC).
(TACC) worked in conjunction with Dell, Intel engineers and university researchers in designing and building the super computer.
It was funded by the (NFS) National Science Foundation Grants, with an estimated investment of more than $50 million over a four-year period, it part of the (NSF)’s investment in an integrated advanced cyber infrastructure.
[5] It is one of the world’s most powerful computers devoted to open science research. The Stampede computer will be a powerful instrument that will enable new kinds of scientific advances the way that powerful microscopes and telescopes have been able to do.
The Texas Advanced Computing Center will give each team the training it needs to use the new machine effectively.
The Stampede allows many users to simulate, visualize, analyze, store and share their knowledge with others around the world.
2.2 The Stampede Super Computer
Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) is an advanced computing research center that provides advanced computing resources and support services to researchers. The mission of TACC is to create advances science using advanced computing technologies.
The St...
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...twork per second as the entire internet.
The file system can write a terabyte in under eight seconds.
Super Computers normally become out dated after about four years in service; the Stampede has been created with the ability to add additional performance in the future.
To date there are: o 2000 + users o 1000 + Research Projects o 100 + Scientific Domains o 710,000,000 + CPU hours used
References
[1] - http://www.top500.org/system/177931 - Last Accessed: 7th March 2014
[2] - https://www.tacc.utexas.edu/stampede/ - Last Accessed: 7th March 2014
[3] - https://www.xsede.org/web/guest/tacc-stampede - Last Accessed: 12th March 2014
[4] - https://www.tacc.utexas.edu/resources/hpc/stampede-technical - Last Accessed: 12th March 2014
[5] - http://www.statesman.com/news/business/stampede-supercomputer-tives-scientists-a-powerful/nSzmH/ - Last Accessed: 13th March 2014
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint and National Intelligence Support to Military Operations, Joint Publication 2-01 (Washington, DC: U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, 5 January 2012).pg II-6
To gather information at one place to facilitate researchers to look into the basics and advance technologies in this area of science at one platform.
This can be expanded to four million words in the future if the need arises. But it doesn't stop there! The Cray can pipe information back and forth between the CPU memory and the Input/Output Subsystem (IOS). The IOS then takes it upon itself the store the information in any of the four storage devices: i) one of the four 1200 Mb disk drives (at a rate of 5.9Mb every second), ii) one of two standard 200ips 6250bpi tape drives, iii) a Solid State Storage Device (SSD) (which is much like a 128Mb RAM Disk!), or iv) through to a front-end computer (the U of T uses both the IBM4381 and a DEC VAX). These computers would be programmed (usually in FORTRAN) and the information passed onto the Cray. The results would then be transfered back to the front end computers.
In 500 B.C. the abacus was first used by the Babylonians as an aid to simple arithmetic. In 1623 Wihelm Schickard (1592 - 1635) invented a "Calculating Clock". This mechanical machine could add and subtract up to 6 digit numbers, and warned of an overflow by ringing a bell. J. H. Mueller comes up with the idea of the "difference engine", in 1786. This calculator could tabulate values of a polynomial. Muellers attempt to raise funds fails and the project was forgotten. Scheutz and his son Edward produced a 3rd order difference engine with a printer in 1843 and their government agreed to fund their next project.
“…With the advent of everyday use of elaborate calculations, speed has become paramount to such a high degree that there is no machine on the market today capable of satisfying the full demand of modern computational methods. The most advanced machines have greatly reduced the time required for arriving at solutions to problems which might have required months or days by older procedures. This advance, however, is not adequate for many problems encountered in modern scientific work and the present invention is intended to reduce to seconds such lengthy computations…” From the ENIAC patent (No. 3,120,606), filed 26 June 1947.
“Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, medicine, science, and other
Schlager, Neil, and Josh Lauer. "The History, Development, and Importance of Personal Computers." Science and Its Times 7 (2001): n. pag. Print.
Unraveling the underlying mystery of this computational creature was a simple yet fascinating endeavor. The machine was beyond repair and I lacked the sufficient resources to alleviate the wounds of the miniature mainframe. While the project was a failure, I became curious about more intricate infrastructures.
The computing industry as a whole becomes more prosperous, exciting and attractive as an employment prospect each day. It spans a wide range of modern applications, as does my interest in the subject. I see computing science as a gateway into new realms of computing, where the highly challenging and demanding work may reap rewards of an equivalent level.
Paisley. "The Impact of a Cyber War." Defense Tech RSS. N.p., 16 Jan. 2008. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. (Source H)
the world. In this research paper I will discuss where, ehrn, and how Intel was
Unequivocally speaking, the threat of a cyber-attack has become one of the most critical domestic and national security challenges we face as a nation today. Infrastructures supporting government operations are ...
Thomas, Teka. "Cyber defense: Who 's in charge?" National Defense July 2015: 21+. War and Terrorism Collection. Web. 28 Oct.
Ever since I built my first computer early in 2012, I have had an avid interest in computing and technology. From hardware to software, I enjoy it all. I love everything about building computers, and I mean everything. From making the list of parts, to the Lego-like building process, to the final POST of the motherboard, I enjoy...
Thousands of years ago calculations were done using people’s fingers and pebbles that were found just lying around. Technology has transformed so much that today the most complicated computations are done within seconds. Human dependency on computers is increasing everyday. Just think how hard it would be to live a week without a computer. We owe the advancements of computers and other such electronic devices to the intelligence of men of the past.