High Performance Computing Co-Operative | Weill Cornell Medical College

Introduction

The Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) High Performance Computing Co-Operative (HPC Co-Op) is a mechanism for provisioning and operating common research computing resources to optimize cost, connectivity, and reliability.

High Performance Computing at WCMC is a distributed effort, with many groups performing similar but individualized activities related to computationally and data intensive research. The HPC Co-Op enhances collaboration, identification of new and enhanced research infrastructure requirements, knowledge sharing, and purchasing power by facilitating cross-group interaction, resource pooling, and creating economies of scale. The co-op is primarily concerned with the design and purchase of infrastructure technologies such as: high performance computing clusters, parallel, global, and other advanced file systems, scientific workflows, parallelization, resource management and monitoring, high speed networking, specialized storage environments, and scheduling systems, specifically to:

Support world-class advanced computing that enables cutting-edge research at WCMC
Share information and experience with the goal of more effective development, operation, and support of advanced computing equipment
On a consistent and pre-determined basis, assess the upcoming advanced computing purchases of its members and, whenever practical, pool those purchases to create negotiating leverage with vendors
Where applicable, influence and inform strategic direction of advanced computing services at WCMC

Current Projects

The HPC Co-Op is currently working on:

Implementing new research compute cluster(s) and storage in the Belfer Research Building for both shared and dedicated use
Identifying candidates for 1GB and 10GB network upgrades
Working with potential new members to determine network, storage, and compute cluster needs

Organization and Membership

The co-op is open to all, including faculty and staff of institutions associated with WCMC. Members will meet quarterly, and are strongly encourage to participate in assessing proposal opportunities (e.g., NIH S10 RFPS), sharing purchase opportunities and, when practical and mutually advantageous, participating in pooled purchasing of advanced computing equipment and/or services.

Meetings and Communication

The co-op meets at least four times per year. Our next meeting is April 22nd, 2014.

For questions or additional information, please contact:
Ben Nathan
Director, IT Operations and Infrastructure
ben2001@med.cornell.edu
212-746-7457