The Challenge

The Department of Terrestrial Magnestism was looking for an efficient and affordable way of adding more computer power. Computer clusters commonly need more processing power over time in order to remain viable as tools for scientific research and discovery. Many research scientists begin small and then add horsepower as budgets become available. When budget became available to The Department of Terrestrial Magnetism they contacted NZO Cloud to expand the computing capability of their existing high performance. With over 1,000 High performances operational today, NZO Cloud understands that end users are looking for a simple, cost effective and easy method to add computing power.

The Solution

In 2009, CIW purchased a 96 processor core, 192 GB memory High performance. The primary research use for the cluster is “adaptive mesh refinement hydrodynamics code for studying mixing and transport processors in the presolar cloud and solar nebula.” According to Michael Acierno (IT Manager / Department of Terrestrial Magnetism), the High performance continues to exceed expectations. “Our experience to date has been completely satisfactory,” explains Mr. Acierno. Like most system administrators, Mr. Acierno’s time is limited. A primary concern is the ongoing time requirements to manage, monitor and maintain the compute cluster. NZO Cloud understands the need to deliver a stable solution requiring as little user input possible. “Management has been simple and has required far less of my time than I anticipated,” explains Mr. Acierno.

When the time came to upgrade the processing power of the cluster, Mr. Acierno turned to NZO Cloud for help. NZO Cloud recommended migrating to their revolutionary new server platform; the PowerServe DUO TI2400. This unique design offers two complete and independent servers in just 1U of rack space. Unlike other blade servers, the PowerServe DUO TI2400 has no shared backplane or shared power supply. A key feature of this new platform is the “tool-free” design which allows for the easiest system upgrades and maintenance possible. In addition, the PowerServe DUO TI2400 offers industry leading “green features” including 90%+ efficient power supplies, power reduction management features and 55% recyclable metal. “We are pleased with the continuing improvements in cloud technology that NZO Cloud is making,” asserts Mr. Aceirno. “Notably, the shrinking physical size of the server package while simultaneously increasing the number of cores. This trend is what makes in-house resources so attractive since a very powerful cloud does not require excessive and cooling demands.”

The installation of our High performance (and upgrade) was literally plug and play. NZO Cloud had all our requirements and configured the cluster prior to shipping. The cluster was ready to begin computations as we powered up.

Michael Acierno The Department of Terrestrial Magnestism

Integrating these new server nodes into the High performance required very little effort from Mr. Acierno. Each High performance includes CBeST, the Complete Beowulf Software Toolkit developed and supported by NZO Cloud. CBeST includes an imaging utility allowing new nodes to be connected to the cluster switch and automatically receive the latest compute node image via PXE network. Very little input is required from the user and NZO Cloud Cluster Technicians are available to assist. With the addition of the new nodes, CIW’s cluster performance increased by 50%. “Thanks to the excellent work of (NZO Cloud) the upgrade was simple and fast. Even the nodes were labeled properly. That attention to detail does not go unnoticed.”

 

Organizational Profile

The Department of Terrestrial Magnetism was founded in 1904 to map the geomagnetic field of the Earth. Over the years the research direction shifted, but the historic goal to understand the Earth and its place in the universe has remained the same. Today the department is home to an interdisciplinary team of astronomers and astrophysicists, geophysicists and geochemists, cosmochemists and planetary scientists. These Carnegie researchers are discovering planets outside our solar system, determining the age and structure of the universe, and studying the causes of earthquakes and volcanoes. With colleagues from the Geophysical Laboratory, these investigators are also helping to define the new and exciting field of astrobiology