Canadas Changing Computing Landscape

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Canadas Changing Computing Landscape
Jonathan Schaeffer Department of Computing
Science University of Alberta jonathan_at_cs.ualberta
.ca Mark Thachuk Department of
Chemistry University of British
Columbia thachuk_at_chem.ubc.ca
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Compute Canada A Brief (Recent) History

• CFI awards 60 million (150 million with
  matching) for a single national HPC proposal in
  December 2006 as part of the National Platforms
  Fund
• NSERC commits 2 million/yr for five years
  towards Compute Canada user support (application
  analysts) under the MRS program, with option to
  apply for more (LOI has been submitted to request
  an increase of 3 million/yr)
• Infrastructure will be coordinated nationally and
  must be accessible to all researchers in Canada,
  regardless of location.
• A National Resource Allocation Committee will
  coordinate and oversee allocation of resources.
  Greater than default allocations will be based
  upon need, and the scientific merit of proposed
  research.
• The National Initiatives Committee (NIC) is
  actively engaged in forming Compute Canada.

Canadas Changing Computing Landscape
Schaeffer Thachuk, May 16, 2007
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Compute Canada the model

• Federative
• Efficient
• Close to the researchers

Canadas Changing Computing Landscape
Schaeffer Thachuk, May 16, 2007
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The Platform
Types of architecture

• Capacity Standard interconnect, serial tasks
  (14,800 cpus)Data analysis (astrophysics,
  particle physics, genomics). Quantum chemistry,
  nanoscience, data mining, artificial
  intelligence, grid research.
• Capability High-Performance interconnect,
  parallel tasks (16,400 cpus)Large-scale
  simulations of particles (astrophysics, molecular
  dynamics).Large-memory quantum mechanical
  problems. Medical imaging. Fluid dynamics and
  other finite-element problems.
• Large SMP Single memory image (800
  cpus)Simulation of complex, tightly
  interconnected systems (e.g. cardiac research,
  network science, operational research).
  Artificial intelligence.
• Vector (160 cpus) Climate modeling,
  meteorology.
• New architectures Co-processors, FPGA, Cell
  technology, etc.Quantum chemistry, quantum
  materials, other linear algebra intensive apps.
• Storage (5,300 TB) mostly SATA-type disks and
  some tapesParticle physics, bioinformatics,
  astrophysics, etc.

Canadas Changing Computing Landscape
Schaeffer Thachuk, May 16, 2007
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Current Status

• Sharing and allocation principles have been
  drafted and are currently being communicated to
  CFI for approval.
• Compute Canada Governance and Management Document
  has incorporated feedback from the community and
  CFI, and is currently in the final stages of
  update (final draft for approval near the end of
  May).
• Indirect Costs of Research monies associated with
  the NSERC grant will be used to fund Compute
  Canada Project Management expenses.
• CFI monies will flow to the lead institutions of
  the seven consortia through a single award
  agreement made with Compute Canada. The
  Inter-Institutional Agreement could take one of
  two forms 1) One IIA signed by the seven lead
  institutions with complementary IIAs within each
  consortium, 2) One IIA signed by all institutions
  directly. Controls, audits, and liabilities will
  be applied (mostly) at the consortium level.
• Compute Canada will be the single point of
  communication with CFI, especially for changes to
  the national budget or acquisition plan.

Canadas Changing Computing Landscape
Schaeffer Thachuk, May 16, 2007
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The (near) Future

• Search for Compute Canada Executive Director will
  begin shortly.
• Target of September to have the IIA signed, and
  Compute Canada fully operational.
• Begin RFP processes in September to produce
  quotes for national budget, with CFI monies
  flowing and first round of infrastructure
  arriving in the first or second quarters of 2008.
• C3.ca will merge with Compute Canada
• WG Executive has agreed to ask the University of
  Alberta to continue to be the lead institution
  for WestGrid financial matters.
• WestGrid elects representatives to Compute
  Canada two researchers (up to this point Mark
  Thachuk (UBC) and Jonathan Schaeffer (UofA).
  Jonathan is currently being replaced by Peter
  Tieleman (UofC).), and two VPR representatives
  (to serve on the Board). These latter two are
  still to be elected.

Canadas Changing Computing Landscape
Schaeffer Thachuk, May 16, 2007