Using Solid State Disks for HPC Applications
High-performance computing applications have high computation power and in the process, they also generate high amounts of data that need to be stored. Normally Hard Drives Disks (HDDs) are used, but their application has been considered to be a hindrance to running of the whole system. A solution to this problem is using Solid State Disks (SSDs) to enhance the use HPC applications. However, it is important to note that since the SSDs are based on flash technology the I/O process changes. The problem comes about since the Flash-based SSDs are not automatically adapted to the HPC I/O request profiles. The general result is an increase in queuing time resulting in an increased response time (delay). Such a problem can be addressed by application of different execution strategies such as the FIFO and Priority of an I/O Operation Class. However, these strategies are still at the experimental level, and further experimentation and research is required.
Flash Technology in High-Performance Computing accelerates Scientific Discovery
SDSC is one of the global leaders that provide hardware technologies that are used widely for computing reasons. The technologies are used in a variety of institutions and companies. Ideally, the main issue with the hardware technology, especially in the application of high-performance computing, is the compatibility and execution of the I/O process. The solution adopted to address this problem involves the use of an additional new layer in the memory hierarchy. The Gordon HPC architecture system has a 300 TB of Intel SSD 710 Series flash between the compute nodes and the parallel file system.
