The Klaus Advanced Computing Building: A Cutting-Edge Hub for Research and Innovation

The Klaus Advanced Computing Building at Cornell University is a state-of-the-art facility that houses a world-class supercomputer and research infrastructure. This building serves as a hub for cutting-edge research and innovation across various disciplines.

Key Features of the Klaus Advanced Computing Building

The Klaus Advanced Computing Building is a remarkable facility that features:

• IBM AC922 Cluster: The centerpiece of the building is the IBM AC922 Cluster, a massively parallel supercomputer with over 100,000 processing cores and a peak performance of 6.7 petaflops. This supercomputer enables researchers to tackle highly complex computational challenges in a wide range of disciplines.
• GPU-Accelerated Computing Systems: In addition to the IBM AC922 Cluster, the building also houses numerous GPU-accelerated computing systems. These systems are designed to handle data-intensive tasks, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and visualization.
• High-Speed Network Infrastructure: The building boasts a high-speed network infrastructure that connects the supercomputer and other computing resources to research laboratories and classrooms across Cornell's campus. This infrastructure enables seamless data transfer and collaboration among researchers.

Impact on Research and Education

The Klaus Advanced Computing Building has had a significant impact on research and education at Cornell University and beyond.

Research: Unlocking New Frontiers

The supercomputing capabilities of the Klaus Advanced Computing Building have enabled researchers to tackle grand challenges in various fields, including:

• Climate Modeling: Researchers are using the supercomputer to develop high-resolution climate models that improve our understanding of Earth's climate system and predict future climate scenarios.
• Drug Discovery: Scientists are leveraging the computational power of the building to accelerate drug discovery by simulating the behavior of molecules and identifying potential drug targets.
• Materials Science: Engineers are using the supercomputer to design and optimize materials with novel properties for applications in fields such as energy storage and transportation.

Education: Preparing the Next Generation

The Klaus Advanced Computing Building also plays a vital role in educating the next generation of researchers and professionals. Students have access to the building's resources for hands-on experience in high-performance computing:

• Courses and Workshops: The building hosts a range of courses and workshops that provide students with training on supercomputing techniques and software.
• Research Opportunities: Students can engage in research projects under the mentorship of faculty and staff, gaining valuable experience in applying high-performance computing to solve real-world problems.

Economic Impact

The Klaus Advanced Computing Building has not only advanced research and education but also had a positive economic impact on the region.

• Job Creation: The building has created new jobs for IT staff, researchers, and support personnel.
• Business Collaboration: The building fosters collaboration between Cornell University and local businesses, leading to innovation and economic growth.
• Start-up Companies: The proximity to the supercomputing resources has attracted start-up companies that leverage high-performance computing for their research and development activities.

Tables

Table 1: Comparison of Supercomputing Capabilities

Table 2: Research Impact by Discipline

Table 3: Educational Impact

Tips and Tricks

• Maximize Resource Utilization: Plan your computational tasks to optimize the use of the supercomputer's resources.
• Leverage Parallel Programming: Use parallel programming techniques to distribute your tasks across multiple cores or nodes.
• Optimize Code Efficiency: Implement efficient algorithms and data structures to minimize execution time.
• Seek Expert Support: Consult with IT staff or research consultants for assistance with technical issues and optimization techniques.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underestimating Data Transfer Time: Account for the time required to transfer data to and from the supercomputer.
• Overloading the Network: Avoid sending excessive data over the network, which can slow down other users.
• Ignoring Memory Constraints: Ensure that your tasks have sufficient memory available to execute properly.
• Ignoring Code Interdependencies: Identify and manage dependencies between different tasks to avoid bottlenecks.

Step-by-Step Approach

1. Identify Research Question: Define the research question or problem you want to address.
2. Determine Computational Requirements: Estimate the computational resources (cores, memory, time) required to complete the task.
3. Access the Supercomputer: Submit a job allocation request to access the supercomputer.
4. Prepare Job Script: Create a job script that contains the necessary instructions for executing your task.
5. Monitor Job Status: Use job monitoring tools to track the status and progress of your task.
6. Analyze Results: Collect and analyze the results generated by the supercomputer, drawing insights and conclusions.

Conclusion

The Klaus Advanced Computing Building is a transformative facility that has revolutionized research and education at Cornell University and beyond. Its state-of-the-art supercomputing capabilities, high-impact research, and educational opportunities have fostered innovation, economic growth, and prepared the next generation of researchers and professionals to tackle the grand challenges of the 21st century.