NEC HPCE and ClusterVision Install Belgium's Most Powerful Computer at Aerospace Research Centre Cenaero

Brussel, .. April 2004 - NEC High Performance Computing Europe (HPCE) and ClusterVision have completed the installation of Belgium's most powerful computer. The Linux supercomputer cluster was purchased by Cenaero, a Belgium aerospace research centre specialising in multi-disciplinary engineering simulations for the aerospace industry. The 176 processor cluster will enhance Cenaero's capabilities to perform large and complex calculations. In particular, Cenaero's parallel artificial intelligence system will be run on the cluster to explore innovative designs for airframe and aero-engines parts. This system is based on novel genetic algorithms and neural networks and can be connected to any simulation system and geometry modeller. Cenaero runs its own massively parallel CFD solver on the new cluster. This program simulates large-scale unsteady turbulent flows around complex geometries such as high lift devices or landing gears in order to accurately predict the generated noise. This allows designers to invent new systems reducing airframe noise.

The new computer cluster comprises 85 compute servers and three redundant control and storage servers. The servers are configured such that if one server fails, another takes over. In total, the cluster comprises 176 Intel® Xeon^TM processors (3.06 GHz / 1MB Cache), 176 Gigabytes of memory, and 15 Terabytes of disk space. All servers are interconnected by a Myrinet network. Myrinet networks have much higher bandwidth and much lower latency than standard Gigabit Ethernet. The Myrinet network will not only be used by the compute servers to exchange data, but it will also be used by the storage servers to serve data over NFS to the compute servers.

The computer cluster has a theoretical peak performance of more than 1 Teraflop (1 billion floating point operations) per second. On today's Top500 list of most powerful computers in the world (www.top500.org), the cluster would feature in the top half, which is higher than any other Top500-listed supercomputer in Belgium.

The cluster was designed and installed by ClusterVision and runs the ClusterVisionOS^TM operating system and software environment. The cluster servers and cabinets were assembled at the production facility of ClusterVision's integration partner, ECL Computers. ClusterVision will provide onsite support for the cluster.

Dr Michel Delanaye, general manager of Cenaero, says: "According to the Top500 list, this new machine is the most powerful computer in Belgium, offering Cenaero's researchers and our academic and industrial partners great capabilities to solve extreme engineering problems. Joined funding from the Walloon region and European structural fund FEDER has made this investment possible. ClusterVision has proven to be a very competent and robust partner and we are looking forward to establishing a strong partnership for the future."

"Myricom is very pleased that Myrinet® has been selected as the interconnect for the large production cluster at Cenaero," said David Pegan, VP Sales of Myricom. "Using the Myrinet as a unified compute and storage network will leverage its high-performance and high-availability properties for all applications of this important production cluster."

Tom Garrison, Director of Intel's Enterprise Marketing Group, EMEA, said: "We are delighted to see Cenaero's investment in this exciting project. By combining high scalability with excellent price/performance, Intel is spurring discoveries and innovation through HPC initiatives. Today, Intel® Itanium® 2 and Intel® Xeon^TM processors are powering some of the fastest supercomputers in the world, enabling to widen the boundaries of research for both academic and industrial sectors."

About CENAERO

CENAERO (Centre of excellence in aeronautical research) is an applied research centre which focusses on the development of simulation technologies for Aeronautics. CENAERO is a private non-profit organisation founded in 2002 and mainly funded by the Walloon region and European structural funds FEDER and FSE. Its mission is to support innovation for the aerospace companies of the Walloon region by focussing on the development of next generation multidisciplinary simulation software. CENAERO participates in several European projects of the 5th framework program (PROMUVAL) and 6th framework program (VIVACE, PROHIPP). The team involves 20 highly skilled engineers specialised in numerical methods, material and process modelling, Computational Fluid Dynamics, physics and applied mathematics. Research activities are organised according to five strategic axis: modelling of assembly processes and metal forming (virtual manufacturing), advanced simulation techniques for life prediction (fatigue) and materials properties (multiscale material modelling), heat pipes modelling for space applications, CFD multiphysics simulation for aero-acoustics and fluid-thermal-structure interactions, optimisation, parallel computing and convergence acceleration. In addition to the NEC/ClusterVision new cluster, CENAERO is equipped with a 28 Intel® Itanium® 2 processor based server from Silicon Graphics Altix 3700.

About the NEC HPCE / ClusterVision Partnership

NEC HPCE and ClusterVision have been partners in the implementation and support of large-scale Linux supercomputer clusters since early 2003. As part of the agreement, ClusterVision has become NEC's cluster solution provider for Northern Europe, including the UK, Ireland, Benelux and Scandinavia. ClusterVision is also official reseller of NEC's TX7 Intel® Itanium based supercomputer. (See also: "ClusterVision and NEC HPC Europe Partner on Linux Supercomputer Clusters")

About NEC HPC Europe

NEC High Performance Computing Systems Europe GmbH was founded in 2003 as an independent NEC subsidiary. Its predecessor, NEC European Supercomputer Systems had been active in Europe since 1991. The company supplies high performance computing solutions, services and equipment to the European Market. The NEC HPCE staff consists of over 70 persons and its main office is located in Dusseldorf, Germany. Further offices are located in Paris, Basingstoke (UK), Milan, Amsterdam, Manno (Switzerland) and Stuttgart.

About ClusterVision

ClusterVision are specialists in the design, implementation and support of large-scale compute, storage and database clusters. The technical team at ClusterVision has designed, implemented and supported some of the largest and most complex compute and storage clusters in the UK and the Netherlands. Customers include Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Imperial College London and the Universities of Oxford, Manchester and Leeds in the UK, and Delft Hydraulics, TNO and the Universities of Leiden and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. ClusterVision has offices in Amsterdam and London.

About Myricom

Myricom, Inc., a privately held California Corporation founded in 1994, created Myrinet, the leading high-speed network for connecting computers to form clusters. In addition to direct sales, Myricom supplies Myrinet products and software through OEM and system-integration companies.

About Intel

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at http://www.intel.com/pressroom.

For more information:

Intel Benelux, Kristof Sehmke, Communication Manager, phone +32 (0)3 450 08 11, e-mail: kristof.sehmke@intel.com

ClusterVision BV, Matthijs van Leeuwen, +31 (0)23 5677510, e-mail: m.vanleeuwen@clustervision.com

Monogram Communication Strategies (MCS) BV, Marieke Leenhouts, phone +31 (0)23 562 82 08,
e-mail: mariekel@monogram.nl.