Scientific
Applications:
SGI ENABLES VISUALIZATION ON THE
GRID AT HOKKAIDO UNIV
SGI announced that SGI Japan Ltd. has delivered an SGI Onyx 300
visualization
system to the Hokkaido University Computing Center in Sapporo, Japan. Its
intended use is in the emerging field of visualization on the grid.
Using the 32-processor SGI Onyx 300 system as its research platform, the
center is set to become a cornerstone of grid computing in Japan, allowing
users to leverage real-time visualization of high-volume data in remote
environments.
The system, which has already successfully started operations, marks the
first
step toward the implementation of a grid computing infrastructure being built
by the information technology centers at seven of Japan's national public
universities.
Using the university's grid computing environment, Hokkaido University
researchers will conduct various projects requiring large-scale data
visualization, such as post-genomic, nanotechnology and environmental studies.
They will also work in conjunction with the National Astronomical Observatory
of Japan and with research centers at other Japanese universities.
The budding grid environment is based on the "e-science" concept of
collaborating on and sharing research electronically, as recommended by
Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Computing center staff chose the Onyx 300 system over competing systems
because of SGI's long and successful history with data visualization
technologies and because of the company's advanced grid computing
expertise.
Grid computing is designed to utilize remote computing capacity at research
centers and corporations in order to conduct advanced science, medical and
space technology research, all of which require enormous computing power.
Visualization on the grid is enabled by the SGI concept of Visual Area
Networking. The Hokkaido University system, which can be accessed by all types
of desktop and mobile client computers, creating collaborative work
environments for research teams across different universities, takes the SGI
concept of Visual Area Networking to new levels. Visual Area Networking is
based on the idea that the large data sets behind complex images can be stored
and processed in one place but can be accessed and manipulated by people using
any client device, either by themselves or collaboratively across existing
networks.
With the use of Visual Area Networking solutions, all graphics results are
generated on powerful visual servers, such as the SGI Onyx 300 system at
Hokkaido University, and are made available to geographically distributed end
users and collaborative teams. With Hokkaido University users working within
the new Japanese university grid computing environment, the Computing center's
system brings visualization to grid computing.
To harness the untapped processing power of globally distributed,
heterogeneous computing resources, the system also utilizes Platform LSF, the
foundation of Platform's Grid computing solutions, and Platform Globus,
Platform Computing's commercially supported distribution of the open-source
Globus Toolkit software.
With Platform Globus, scientists and engineers can establish a grid
computing
infrastructure across multiple heterogeneous hardware and software platforms
and create a virtual organization to pool and share compute resources across
geographic sites. Platform's Grid solutions, coupled with innovative SGI HPC,
visualization and data management solutions, provide integrated, grid-enabled
solutions to help enterprises create higher-quality products and services and
to improve collaboration while maximizing IT investment.
For further information about SGI and grid technologies, visit
www.sgi.com/industries/sciences/papers.html#grid.
For details about SGI's involvement with universities and research labs
around
the world, visit www.sgi.com/go/research.
About SGI
SGI, also known as Silicon Graphics, Inc., is the world's leader in high-
performance computing, visualization and the management of complex data. SGI
products, services and solutions enable its technical and creative customers
to gain strategic and competitive advantages in their core businesses. Whether
being used to design and build safer cars and airplanes, discover new
medications and oil reserves, predict the weather, entertain us with thrilling
movie special effects or provide mission-critical support for government and
defense, SGI systems and expertise are empowering a world of innovation and
discovery.
Web site: www.sgi.com
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