NHPDCC: The National High Performance Distributed Computing Consortium

Abstract

This paper discusses the proposed National HighPerformance Distributed Computing Consortium (NHPDCC), a second-generation high performance computing consortium. NHPDCC will build high performance computing solutions via distributed, heterogeneous machines with diverse, complementary capabilities. Unlike single-machine consortia, NHPDCC wall strive to demonstrate practical solutions to current and future "challenge " and "grand-challenge" applications, by utilizing multi-vendor, commercial products, rather than prototypes.Specific soflware projects to be implemented by the consortium personnel include MPI message-passang standard and related tools, scalable parallel libraries, benchmarks, as well as systems software. Consortium members will benefit through access to both the hardware and software of the consortium. In addition, the synergy generated by interactions among NH-PDCC members wall be a significant benefit to consortiu,m members.