Computing cluster

• Term: Funded in 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 457276215

We are planning the replacement purchase of a new parallel computing cluster for simulations in the field of materials science and engineering at the MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes of the University of Bremen. The cluster will primarily be available to the Bremen Center for Computational Materials Science. However, access to the computer will be also possible and uncomplicated for other relevant institutes and faculties. The use of the equipment is based on an already proven "fair-share" concept, which is made possible by defining user groups and handling the computing tasks with a queueing system. It is planned to operate the unit continuously, with the exception of necessary maintenance work. The participating research groups will be responsible for the management and long-term archiving of the research data obtained with the computing cluster.A Tier3 computer system is applied for under the main aspects of sufficient floating-point computing power, memory and network performance. The components required for operation include, in addition to the actual computing nodes, a server, a high-performance network and necessary accessories, in particular the InRow coolers required for direct cooling of the individual racks. The majority of computing power is provided by computing nodes with standard equipment, so-called base nodes. These should comprise a system with two processor sockets, a memory of at least 8 GByte/core and at least 16 cores per socket with an x86-64 architecture. In order to meet special project requirements, a small group of "fat" nodes with double memory and a further group of computing nodes equipped with GPU cards will be added. The required MPI communications require a high-performance network with the lowest possible latency, sufficient bandwidth (high message rate) and the ability of remote direct memory access on a lossless physical network with congestion control. In addition, a global file system available on all computing nodes and servers is required. In the requested configuration, a login server will be installed, which is used for user access to the cluster via Secure Shell. The login server will be connected to the parallel network file system, in order to enable access to and transfer of the user data stored there. The data is backed up on a backup server, which also provides primary administrative software services. The system is connected to the outside world via a firewall.The computing cluster applied for will be set up in the central Green IT Housing Centers on the campus of the University of Bremen. One technical and one scientific staff member will be available for the administration and maintenance of the equipment.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Rechencluster
• Instrumentation Group: 7000 Datenverarbeitungsanlagen, zentrale Rechenanlagen
• Applicant Institution: Universität Bremen
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Lucio Colombi Ciacchi