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New computational hardware roadmap
One of SCD's highlights for FY1999 was developing a new computational hardware roadmap and taking the first steps on the path it defines. This is a significant step forward in our plan to identify, acquire, and operate a new generation of computing hardware architectures for NCAR and our university community.
This roadmap and our implementation of it are so significant because NCAR and SCD must adapt to major changes in both the technologies and the market forces now driving the development and availability of computing engines in the United States. This change in supercomputing fundamentally affects how scientists perform numerical simulations for geosciences research, and it has profound ramifications for model design and production.
SCD must provide platforms that allow the science to adjust to these new computing engines in a way that advances scientific output and avoids disruptions or delays. SCD's computational hardware roadmap presents options that could allow SCD to provide Teraflop computing capabilities in FY2000. This roadmap is fundamental to ensuring that NCAR's scientific research community will have access to the most potent computing resources available.
Acquisition, installation, and acceptance of blackforest
The acquisition and installation of the IBM RS/6000 SP computing system, "blackforest" is a significant accomplishment for the division because it represents the culmination of a process of identifying the best next-generation supercomputing system for NCAR.
SCD has a sterling reputation for testing the most advanced computing engines and aims to acquire the very best in computing technology to meet the demanding needs of the scientists we serve, both now and into the future. Our evolving partnership with IBM is an important ingredient for increasing the computing power supporting that science.
