 The University of Dortmund, Germany, has placed an order with European Linux cluster specialist ClusterVision for a large high performance Linux cluster system with more than 1 TFLOPs peak performance.
The new supercomputer, named LiDO (Linux cluster DOrtmund), is scheduled to be installed at the end of this year at the computer centre of the University, where it will be used in leading-edge scientific research. The ClusterVision system will replace an IBM SP computer installed in 1996. LiDO is 55 times faster than its predecessor: It will provide the scientists at the University of Dortmund with more than 1 TFLOPs peak performance, a memory capacity of 1.3 TeraBytes, and 26 TeraBytes of disk storage. "We evaluated a large number of proposals from many leading IT vendors and decided on ClusterVision because of their excellent reputation and the outstanding price/performance ratio. ClusterVision also best understood and fulfilled our strict requirements", said Jörg Gehrke, Division Leader Server and HPC, HRZ, University of Dortmund. "It was very impressive for us to see how ClusterVision passed successfully all scientific benchmark configurations which have been designed by scientists in Dortmund to directly test the potential of the new computer system for highly sophisticated technical simulation methods, for instance for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). So, we are very sure that we have found our new powerful work horse for solving grand challenge scientific problems in the future in our Virtual Numerics Labs", said Prof. Stefan Turek, Vice-Dean of the Department for Mathematics and Head of the Institute for Applied Mathematics, University of Dortmund. "The University of Dortmund's careful choice of a ClusterVision solution continues the trend towards high performance computer systems created from high-quality, commonly available, affordable, state-of-the-art components complemented by superior cluster management software such as our ClusterVisionOS™, which adds enormous value for the user," said Dr ir Matthijs van Leeuwen, Manager Germany, ClusterVision. About The University of Dortmund
Located in one of Germany's most vibrant economic regions, the Ruhr Valley, the University of Dortmund is responding to the educational and practical challenges of new businesses, innovative technologies, and progressive regional planning. It has become a dominant centre for scholarship and learning, offering outstanding education for over 22,000 students in 16 faculties with more than 3,000 employees, including 300 associate and full professors. The University of Dortmund is structured into three main segments: - Engineering and Computer Science;
- Natural Sciences (including Mathematics and Statistics);
- Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences.
Within these segments, researchers collaborate in study groups, research institutes, and graduate and post-graduate programs. Four research profile areas emerged: - Production and Logistics;
- Chemical Biology and Biotechnology;
- Modelling, Simulation and Optimisation of Complex Processes and Systems;
- Youth, School and Educational Research.
These research profiles are producing wide-ranging interdisciplinary research achievements on an excellence level with international reputation. One key of success is the funding of interdisciplinary research projects (so called "Forschungsbänder"). These projects, many of them on the cutting edge of science, include research on Molecular Biology, Micro- and Nano-Technologies and on the Integration of Sciences with the Service Sector. Special institutes also contribute to the university's research output. These include the Institute of Environmental Research, the Institute of Robotics Research, the Institute of Gerontology and the Institute for Accelerator Physics and Synchrotron Radiation. One finds many independent research partners at the northern edge of the campus, and quite a few of them have been co-operating with the University of Dortmund for a number of years. The Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology, the Fraunhofer Institute of Material Flow and Logistics, the Fraunhofer Institute of Software and Systems Engineering, the Institute of Analytical Sciences, the Centre of Informatics, and Institute of Occupational Physiology. About ClusterVision
ClusterVision are specialists in the design, implementation and support of large-scale computer clusters. Their clustering technology provides an alternative to traditional supercomputing by connecting multiple computers to form a unified computing system. ClusterVision's technical and sales team have designed and built some of the largest and most complex computational, storage and database clusters in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. With a background in applied scientific research and practical experience with a wide range of supercomputer technologies the team understands customers' requirements and provides tailor-made solutions. The company works together with the University of Amsterdam, which is also a shareholder in ClusterVision through its technology transfer company, PCC. ClusterVision's customers include government organisations and industries which benefit from chemical modelling, financial modelling, drug discovery, biotechnical research, oil and gas exploration and many more where there is a need for large-scale compute power, data processing and storage capacity. In the United Kingdom customers include Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Imperial College London and the Universities of Oxford, Durham and Leeds. In the Netherlands ClusterVision has carried out projects for Delft Hydraulics, TNO and the Universities of Groningen, and Amsterdam, amongst others. For more information: Ole Lünnemann
Universität Dortmund
Leiter Referat für Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Tel.: +49 231 755 2535
Fax: +49 231 755 4664
Mob: +49 160 530 8491
ole.luennemann@uni-dortmund.de
www.presse.uni-dortmund.de Dr ir Matthijs van Leeuwen
ClusterVision Deutschland
Nieuw-Zeelandweg 15B
1045 AL Amsterdam
Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 407 7550
Fax: +49 89 9218 5311
Mob: +31 6 419 419 92
www.clustervision.com
| 
Linux Cluster Dortmund (LiDO) - Supercomputer in eight 19" server racks.
|
