IBM to build next generation high-performance computer
The Laboratory and IBM are about to enter a new era of computing performance -- known as the petaflop -- a sustained performance of 1,000 trillion calculations per second, or 1,000 teraflops.
IBM has been selected through competitive bid to build "Roadrunner," the newest Linux-based supercomputer at Los Alamos, and will collaborate with the Laboratory on new, cutting-edge technology that will reach for the petaflop in 2008.
"More than ever, it is important that we develop the world's best technology here at home," said Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M. "Through the NNSA's stockpile stewardship campaign, NNSA labs have pioneered the high-speed computer architecture that operates on the world's fastest computers. The national laboratories like LANL have led the way in computing and should be challenged to take the next step and breakthrough the petaflop barrier."
"Los Alamos National Laboratory has world-renowned accomplishments in technology and science in support of national security," said Clay Sell, Department of Energy deputy secretary. "With this procurement, Los Alamos will continue its pioneering role in high-end computing."
Roadrunner could become the next-generation supercomputer for NNSA's stockpile stewardship program, which helps ensure that the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile is safe and reliable without the resumption of underground nuclear testing. Laboratory and NNSA officials will analyze the technological development of Roadrunner to determine whether to execute future options to expand the machine, in order to achieve the petaflop goal.
The plan for building the computer calls for the hardware to be delivered in several phases. The first phase, to be completed this year, is a $35 million, 80- to 100-teraflop cluster-based machine that will be delivered using standard technologies, providing the Laboratory much-needed additional computing capacity.
Pursuing the goal of a sustained petaflop will require a second and final phase, with plans for completion in 2008. This phase would include the addition to the base machine of a large number of advanced computer chips, known as accelerators, enabling a dramatic jump in scientific computing capability and a new world record in supercomputer performance. The entire project is budgeted for $110 million over three years.
Although the system will be tasked with a wide variety of basic science and calculations related to threat reduction, the primary role of the new capability will be to provide a major advance in maintaining maximum confidence in the reliability of the nation's existing stockpile of nuclear warheads, and enable a more rapid transformation of the country's nuclear weapon complex.
