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Überblick
Leibniz Supercomputing Centre is the central computing centre for Munich’s universities and other academic institutions. The centre provides high-performance computing capacities to the scientific community across Europe. Its latest addition, SuperMUC, is the fastest supercomputer in Europe.
Die Herausforderung
The institution wanted to provide researchers across Europe with a reliable and powerful high-performance computing platform, which would enable users to make faster progress in their complex research projects.
To reduce the environmental impact of high-performance computing, the institution aimed at improving the energy efficiency of its operations with the latest technology available on the market. Leibniz Supercomputing Centre also sought to leverage established automation solutions to maximise the efficiency and manageability of the new supercomputing platform.
SUSE Lösung
Leibniz Supercomputing Centre chose to run its high-performance computing system SuperMUC with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, leveraging SUSE’s proven expertise and leading automation tools such as AutoYaST, which allows systems to be installed without manual intervention.
“We have relied on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server in high-performance computing for approximately 15 years, and have always been very satisfied with the operating system,” said Herbert Huber, Division Head of Super Computing at Leibniz Supercomputing Centre. “Specific features such as its early support of the Andrew File System distinguished SUSE Linux Enterprise Server from the competition. Today it is an established and highly successful platform at Leibniz Supercomputing Centre.”
The institute deployed innovative warm-water cooling technology, and has taken advantage of frequency scaling and other power saving features of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server to increase energy efficiency.
Following the installation of SuperMUC, Leibniz Supercomputing Centre acts as a European Centre for Supercomputing within PRACE, the Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe. PRACE is a non-profit research and development association, supporting scientists across Europe with a powerful supercomputing infrastructure. The association focuses on research to lower energy consumption and the environmental impact of computing systems.
Die Ergebnisse
The institution has considerably simplified configuration and automation of the SuperMUC system, using the automation capabilities of the AutoYaST tool that is integrated with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.
An innovative cooling system and advanced power saving features have substantially improved the energy efficiency of the new supercomputer. SuperMUC delivers approximately 20 times more performance per watt than its predecessor.
The supercomputer has also boosted overall performance by a factor of 60, enabling researchers to perform more complex calculations and gain completely new insights. The supercomputer is being used to drive new insight into a range of areas, with high-performance computing becoming increasingly important in life sciences and medical research in particular.
“We have already registered 170 projects on the migration system and are looking forward to making Europe’s fastest supercomputer available to the scientific community,” said Herbert Huber. “The SUSE team is close at hand, should we require support or guidance, as their headquarters are located nearby. We have received highly competent support from SUSE over the years, and look forward to collaborating with them as we continue to make advances in high-performance computing.”